and they are off, Race Day Formula 1 Grand Prix in Malaysia

If words such as those were spoken, we did not hear them. We did hear the Malaysian national anthem at the onset of the afternoon. At the conclusion of the race, spoiler alert if you have not heard, Sebastian Vettel won. Hence the German celebration from the Berliners who were next to us in the grandstand. Another young Sebastian here with his family were around to pose in celebration with their flags which broke out in profusion.  

As a result of his victory driving a Ferrari, an Italian car, after the race we heard two more national anthems.  

But I am ahead of myself. Here is the start. From our seats in the grandstand at the end of the start/finish straight-a-way and at the first of a series of sharp turns.

advancing through the turn.  Hamilton of England driving a Mercedes is on the pole followed by Vettel.

Lap three, this guy spun out in front of us and could not get out of the soft dirt and so was picked up by a crane and carried away. A DNF on lap 3, not such a good race.

I moved from our seats for a while and ranged around — even got down to the front row and of course got up to the top row as I moved across the grandstand. Had several different views of the sharp turns coming off the straight-a-way.

Just after I took a picture, perhaps this one, one of these cars did a 360 right in this curve.  I, of course missed the photo - or of the car sideways, the other cars somehow missed him.

Vettel in his red Ferrar and white helmut. Like me when I was on the simulator, spent just a wee bit of time cutting grass.

We missed the action in the pits where changing tires was a big deal. One of Vettel's changes was in 2.4 seconds. Other changes for drivers were in 2.7. When you win a race by just a few seconds, these kind of seconds matter I suppose.

Below you can see the far turn. In the straight leading up to it, there would be one heck of a speed up and often attempt to pass in that more gentle? curve.

Looking to the right over the center area you can see some of the back area. The course is a little over 5.5 miles long. Takes a little over 1 minute 40 seconds to do a lap.

one of the favored, Mercedes — favored, does not mean won.

Linda keeping a close eye on the action and in contact with the Vettel team. I was not aware that she is an advisor to the team. Note the team colors that she is wearing.

Sebastian, as Linda calls him, in front of the rest of the pack.

and it is over, party time is here. We did not go down to the track. Patt taking the picture from top of the stands captures Charles, me, and Linda exiting our row. Great seats we had too.

Good times, real good time. Charles and Linda headed back to Penang. Patt and I to Kuala Lumpur for another day (Monday) of touring. Then early Tuesday we fly to Hanoi.