By Phil Huff
March 16 2006

Devised by Hermann Tilke, the Sepang circuit is a visually dramatic, beautifully equipped facility, and has been lavished with much praise by teams and drivers alike since joining the World Championship in 1999. The demanding 15-turn, 5.543km track features a pair of parallel straights plus a combination of low and medium-speed corners that really test drivers. Indeed, Sepang is regarded as one of the most physically demanding tracks in the world.

The surface is wide and smooth with overtaking most likely to occur under braking for the tight corners at the end of each straight.

Sepang also provides wonderful spectator facilities, including a unique "double-sided" 30,000-seat grandstand with an unusual roof in the shape of an hibiscus - the national flower of Malaysia.

Jenson Button secured his maiden podium finish for BAR Honda in 2004, bringing his 006 home in second place. Jenson then went on to record further 9 podium finishes through the season, finishing the championship behind only the Ferrari drivers.

Last years race was less successful, with both Jenson Button and third driver Anthony Davidson (standing in for a sick Takuma Sato) retiring within the first three laps.