Formula 1 teams and drivers will carry messages of support in tribute to the passengers aboard the missing Malaysian airlines flight, MH370.
The plane went missing mid-flight with 239 passengers and crew aboard. Despite no debris having been formally identified, Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, says “beyond reasonable doubt” that the aircraft crashed in the Indian Ocean with no survivors.
F1 will hold a minute’s silence ahead of the race, whilst messages such as #PrayForMH370 as seen on the Mercedes’ cars, will be prominent up and down the grid and on drivers helmets.
The F1 event in Malaysia is a high point on the country’s calendar, but a subdued atmosphere can already be felt around the circuit.
Meanwhile an after-race concert featuring Christina Aguilera has been cancelled.
Razlan Razali, CEO of the Sepang circuit, said: “We remind ourselves that this is a huge international event, regardless of our state of mourning. As a result, a far smaller crowd than usual is expected.
“The world will be on us to see how fragile or how strong [we are]. So we have a huge responsibility to put on a good show.”
