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In Case You Missed It - off track in Malaysia

03 Oct 2016

Kuala Lumpur’s challenging Sepang International Circuit staged another fascinating battle on Sunday in the 2016 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix. However, there was also plenty going on behind the scenes in the build-up to the race. Here's our social media round-up of just a few of the highlights...

Making the most of every opportunity

Nico Rosberg's fightback from 21st to third in Malaysia showcased his opportunistic brilliance. It's a trait he seems to have nurtured from a young age, at least according to this photo of  him in the Williams garage as a youngster (father Keke is in the background).


A decade of success

Jenson Button celebrated his 300th Grand Prix start at Sepang, but he wasn't the only one marking a significant anniversary. Fellow Brit - and world champion - Lewis Hamilton celebrated the 10th anniversary of his maiden F1 test in the weekend before this year's Malaysian race. The Briton has won at least one race in every season he has competed in since...


'Ain't no mountain high enough...'

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1976 classic preaches the idea of never letting an obstacle stand in your way - an ethos Hamilton will have to draw upon in the wake of his fiery exit from Sepang on Sunday. Luckily he's had prior practice...


Why did the chicken cross the road?

Marcus Ericsson comes up with a new twist on this classic joke - apparently it was to part an F1 driver from their bicycle. The Swede thankfully escaped serious harm in the incident - although we can't say the same about his front wheel...


Taking on the locals (and losing), Part 1...

As a driver, delicacy and precision on the pedals are absolutely fundamental - it's just a shame that doesn't necessarily translate to other sporting pursuits, as Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo found out on the Wednesday before the Grand Prix.


...and Part 2

Teh Tarik, widespread in Malaysia and Singapore, is made by pouring tea and milk between two containers and from a height, helping the drink to mix, cooling it, and giving it a thick frothy top. We're not sure either Jolyon Palmer or Kevin Magnussen have cracked the technique though...


Celebrating a birthday in style...

Because where else would your average 19-year-old be if not competing in F1 racing in Malaysia?


...and then heading to the pub

How else do you mark a driver's 300th Grand Prix pub other than turning the McLaren motorhome into a classic British boozer, complete with themed beers, signs, memorabilia - and of course the obligatory pub dart board.


Applauding F1's wider family

Journalists and members of the media are an intrinsic part of the F1 fraternity - indeed some are considered part of the furniture. British journalist David Tremayne is no exception - Singapore was his 500th race and (by our count) his 498th in a row. Not bad...


Rising stars

Talking of family, Toro Rosso duo Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat delved into the (recent) history books to find a photo of them as promising youngsters. Much has changed in the six subsequent years - but we'll let you decide who looks the most different from their teenage selves...


The shoey is spreading

Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Nico Rosberg will presumably be glad that Daniel Ricciardo didn't take up the pre-race advice of Aussie rules footballer Nic Naitanui...


A Malaysian welcome, off-track...

With this being Felipe Massa's last Grand Prix in Malaysia, they went all out to mark the occasion in style. The car might not be legal under the current regulations, but Massa and co were happy to make 'adjustments' by removing some of the bodywork...

👍👍👍👍

A photo posted by Felipe Massa (@massafelipe19) on


...and in the garages

'Hello Kitty' was on hand to present Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg with a special list from fans and well-wishers on Sunday. Perez offered his own gift to the team a few hours later: confirmation that he will stay with them for the 2017 season...


Eyes on the prize

Quicksilver from X-Men? Abe Sapien from Hellboy 2? Or just an old-school F1 pilot? We're not sure what look Verstappen was going for - but he seemed to enjoy the opportunity to fool around just an hour before the lights went out at Sepang.


A new selfie record?

We're not sure what the record number of people in one selfie is, but Nico Rosberg might hold the unofficial record within F1 after this effort with Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, and a bevvy of podium girls...


Ring a bell?

The circumstances weren't quite as dramatic or comedic as Kimi Raikkonen's famous ice cream break of 2009, but we couldn't help but think of the Finn when Manor posted this photo of Pascal Wehrlein cooling down with a quick ice lolly.


The choice of champions

After champagne shoeys and collective team celebrations, Daniel Ricciardo unwinds in typically unique fashion. The phrase itself borrows from Las Vegas folklore - although as Sauber point out, it also has special meaning for Marcus Ericsson after events in the build up to the Grand Prix...


To absent friends

For all the light-hearted celebrations and antics, Ricciardo was visibly moved on the Sepang podium - and it wasn't just from the elation of victory. The Australian's triumph was his first since the passing of his friend and fellow driver Jules Bianchi, to whom Ricciardo dedicated the win.