Despite the recent tragedy of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, the Petronas Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix in Sepang will proceed beginning tomorrow until March 30, although under more subdued circumstances.
The Petronas-backed Mercedes team, popularly regarded as the “home team” in Sepang, will be showing its solidarity with the families and loved ones of the 239 people on board Flight MH370 by displaying the message ‘Come Home MH370’ on the side panels of the cars to be driven by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
Senior general manager of Group Strategic Communications for Petronas, Norliza Kamaruddin, said this was their way of lending support to the current situation.
“Everyone is sad about the situation. We want to keep the MH370 in mind although we are hosting the Malaysian GP,” she said.
Datuk Razlan Razali, CEO of the Sepang International Circuit, said there was no reason for the Malaysian GP, the second round of the Formula 1 World Championship, to be cancelled.
“The atmosphere is subdued and I understand everyone is talking about it (the missing MH370) everywhere and asking why we are hosting a Formula One race under such circumstances,” he said.
“But it is something that was decided a long time ago.
“The teams have arrived and the race will go on, including the post-race concert … but we must be sensitive and not go overboard.
“In fact, we also conducted a special prayer session (solat hajat) for the safety of the passengers and crew of MH370.”
This will not be the first time a Formula 1 Grand Prix is taking place shortly after a national tragedy. In 2011, Japan went ahead with its Grand Prix even though the country was still recovering from the massive tsunami which struck it, and the consequent Fukushima nuclear reactor disaster.
Last year’s F1 GP in Sepang drew a record crowd of 123,400 people, and organizers are hopeful to beat those numbers with 125,000 attendees this weekend.
Story: The Star Online
