Notes

Starting first on the grid, Jenson Button captured the 2009 running ofthe Malaysian Grand Prix. Button, who opened last year's season with back-to-back wins, took the checkered flag despite the race at Sepang Circuit stoppedshort of its scheduled 56 laps because of heavy rain.Button, who also won last weekend's Australian Grand Prix for the secondstraight year, overcame a poor start and then drove through torrential rainconditions before the race was red-flagged after 32 laps, as lightning struckaround the circuit and visibility deteriorated. Rain is once again expectedfor this year's race.In 2008, Kimi Raikkonen became the third multiple winner of this race, ashe cruised to a whopping, 19.570 seconds win over Robert Kubica for the firstof two wins in 2008. Raikkonen, who two races later would capture the SpanishGrand Prix, now totals 18 F1 titles. Raikkonen also won this race in 2003.Back in 2007, Fernando Alonso posted the 16th of his 22 career Formula Onetitles, as he cruised to a whopping 17.5 seconds win over Lewis Hamilton. Thewin was McLaren's first one-two finish since Brazil 2005. Alonso had been on ahot streak at this race with six straight top-10 finishes including a pair ofwins, however that streak ended last year with an 11th place result. Polesitter Felipe Massa placed fifth.In 2006, Giancarlo Fisichella recorded his third and last career Formula Onetitle, as he clipped then defending champion Fernando Alonso by just underfive seconds. Fisichella started on the pole and helped Renault to its firstone- two finish in 24 years.With his win in 2007, Alonso joined Michael Schumacher and Raikkonen asthe only multiple winners of this race. Schumacher captured the checked flagon three occasions and had never finished out of the top-10 at this race ineight appearances.Sepang was completed in 1999. It bears a similarity to the Austrian A1 - Ringand features a pair of long straights joined by a hairpin. The circuit hasbeen designed to meet the latest safety criteria and features large run- offareas and a 15-turn, 5.543-km layout. Designed by Hermann Tilke, Sepang is oneof the most technical circuits in Formula One. The combination of long high-speed straights, and tight twisting complexes make the track very complicated,but also perfect for overtaking as the track itself is very wide.In the 11 years of this race, the pole sitter has fared quite well, winningon six occasions. The worst result for the front runner has been Massa in 2008when he placed 19th.The April 18th Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai is the next Formula One event onthe schedule. Last year, Sebastian Vettel captured the race.03/31 12:59:15 ET