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The inaugural Grand Prix at Sepang was held in 1999, and saw Michael Schumacher return to the sport after his absence due to a broken leg sustained at that year's British Grand Prix. Ferrari dominated the race, with Schumacher handing the victory to title-hopeful team-mate Eddie Irvine, only for both Ferraris to be disqualified due to a technical irregularity, before later being reinstated.

The 2001 event was hit by a heavy rainstorm in the middle of the race which made conditions very difficult. Conditions were so bad that the two Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello spun off almost simultaneously at the same corner. Remarkably, they both recovered to score a Ferrari "1-2", because for a long time they were nearly 5 seconds faster than anyone else on the field. Elsewhere, the race was even led by Jos Verstappen, surprisingly. However, as the track begun to dry, he fell back to 7th, but his efforts to keep positions were memorable.

Since 2001, the Malaysian Grand Prix has moved from the end of the season to the beginning, which has seen some topsy-turvy results as teams and drivers get to grips with their new equipment, with many races heavily influenced by the winners and losers of the scramble for position into the tight double hairpin bend at the first corner.

Most wins by driver: M.Schumacher; F.Alonso; S.Vettel: 3
Most constructor wins: Ferrari: 6
2014 Winner: Hamilton (Mercedes)

McLaren: Alonso to return in Malaysia

McLaren-Honda has stated that, subject to final FIA medical checks, Fernando Alonso will return to action at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, more than a month on from his pre-season testing accident. Alonso suffered concussion in a crash on the final day of the second group gathering at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and doctors advised him to sit out the season-opener in Australia.

The Spaniard has since been working towards a return in Malaysia, having embarked on a modified training programme and completed a day of virtual running in McLaren's simulator in Woking. Alonso will need to pass a final FIA medical assessment at the Sepang circuit on Thursday, along with Williams driver Valtteri Bottas, who is bidding to return from a back injury.

McLaren also revealed that Alonso has since recalled a sense of "heavy" steering in the moments leading up to the accident, which has prompted the team to add another sensor to its cars.

"McLaren-Honda is pleased to announce that, subject to a successful final FIA medical assessment this Thursday March 26 at the Sepang International Circuit, Fernando Alonso will return to the cockpit of his MP4-30 car for this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix," read a McLaren statement.

"Since his Barcelona testing accident, Fernando has followed a rigorous, specialised training programme, designed and closely monitored by leading sports scientists, to ensure his safe and timely return to racing.

"At the McLaren Technology Centre last week, Fernando met with his engineers and drove the simulator, to bring him up to date with the latest developments on the MP4-30 chassis and power unit.

"As part of that process he spent time with senior engineers, discussing the accident and reviewing the comprehensive data and analysis, all of which has been shared with the FIA.

"While there was nothing evident in the extensive car telemetry data, nor anything abnormal in the subsequent reconstructions and laboratory tests, Fernando recalls a sense of 'heavy' steering prior to the accident.

"Consequently, the team has fitted an additional sensor to the car, to increase our data capture.

"Fernando is very much looking forward to getting back into the car and making a substantial contribution to our collective efforts with Honda, to accelerate the required improvement to our on-track performance."

Bottas confident he will be cleared to return

Valtteri Bottas says he has "taken the necessary measures" to ensure that he returns to action at the Malaysian Grand Prix, after missing the opening round of the season in Australia because of a back injury.

Bottas was taken to hospital after suffering back pain during qualifying in Melbourne, with subsequent scans revealing a small tear in the annular part of a disc in his lower back. The Williams driver returned to the track on the morning of the race in a bid to make the start, but failed a final medical evaluation by FIA Medical Delegate Jean-Charles Piette.

Bottas, who has spent the time between races in Indonesia, will need to be cleared to return at the Sepang circuit on Thursday, a day before the Grand Prix weekend begins.

"After such a frustrating Sunday in Australia, I have taken the necessary measures to make sure I arrive in Malaysia fit to race and ready to bring the results home," said Bottas. "After Melbourne I have stayed in Asia to acclimatise to the hot conditions and adjust to the right time zone. I trained a lot over the winter to prepare for these physically difficult conditions."

I have warmed a lot to this track in recent years. Its got probably the best combination of corners of all the Tilke tracks, except maybe Turkey. Its probably the best track of the year for overtaking, always producing exciting races.

Agreed, although I preferred the race when you used to be at the end of the championship for some reason....

Agreed, although I preferred the race when you used to be at the end of the championship for some reason....

The 2001 event was hit by a heavy rainstorm in the middle of the race which made conditions very difficult. Conditions were so bad that the two Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello spun off almost simultaneously at the same corner.

wasn't this due to oil left by Panis?

rain only by mid race and not that storm that fell in 2009, somtehing light that damps the track

I'm not a great fan of that "it's too wet" whining on team radio