Story and Photos by DENNIS AMOR

THEY billed the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix as the hottest event in the F1 racing calendar ... and in sweltering 40-plus degree sauna-like temperatures we could understand (or maybe that should be 'feel') why!

But while we sizzled, so did the action on the Sepang track as the 22 drivers tussled for supremacy in this second race of the 2002 season.

The thrills began within seconds and right in front of our grandstand seats overlooking the first three corners at the end of Pit Straight. Reigning champion Michael Schumacher's and Montoya's cars touched, leaving debris scattered over the track. It was amazing to see it all happen 'in the metal' as it were after so many years of watching the action on television.

Shortly afterwards the two Jordans crashed in the same place, again scattering parts of the cars on the circuit. It was quite amusing to see the marshals taking instructions from the grandstand crowd on when it was safe to remove the wreckage.

In the distance we later saw the puff of smoke which marked the end for Farrari's Barrichello as his engine blew up.

We had waited for years to see David Coulthard in the flesh ... shame he didn't last long at Sepang! At least we got to see him complete a few laps. When our son Steven went to Silverstone last year, the hapless David bowed out before he'd hardly started!

We took advice and bought earplugs, but we found the roar of the F1 engines quite bearable without them. Maybe we should have used them for the pre-race Malaysian Airforce flypast which was spectacularly loud and mindbending.

All in all, the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix was a fabulous experience ... though a little tarnished when it came to getting away after the race. Maybe next year the organisers will introduce some form of queuing so everyone gets a fair chance of catching the shuttle buses back to the airport or city. It was a shambles! I suppose it could have been worse ... it took Steven an incredible FOUR HOURS just to get out of the carpark at Silverstone!

Webber grinds to a halt in the gravel after a switch failed on his Minardi

Marshals race to help Webber

A crane unceremoniously removes Webber's car from the circuit

Webber exits the Malaysian F1