After finishing on the podium in what was the first wet night race in the history of Formula One, Red Bull Racing's Daniel Ricciardo is eagerly looking ahead to the next round on the 2017 F1 agenda, this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, which is followed just 7 days later with the Japanese GP.

This weekend's event will be the last time the Formula One paddock visits Malaysia in the foreseeable future with the race axed from the series after 2017.

Therefore, the Aussie F1 driver will be hoping to make it as memorable as possible, especially as he is one of only ten drivers to have ever stood on the top step of the rostrum, when he won last season, in the 19 years the series has raced here…

We're bidding farewell to Sepang after 19 seasons, and you can count yourself among an elite squad of ten drivers who've won the race. What do you remember about the win?
I'm looking forward to the back-to-back races and Sepang, for the last Malaysian Grand Prix. My victory last year was definitely unexpected. I really didn't think our car was well suited to the track, but Lewis' problem opened the door and then I held off Max in the closing stages to take the win. It just goes to show you never know what can happen.

It's a tricky circuit for the team and drivers, with a couple of long straights but also a lot of medium and high-speed corners in the second sector. How hard is it to get the car right at Sepang?
Set-up is always a compromise in Malaysia as you need a good car in the middle sector, but you also can't afford to lose too much time on those long straights.

We'll have to be quick with our farewells to Malaysia, we're off to Japan almost straight away. But that's a bonus for you isn't it?
Yeah, I'll have a quick stop in Tokyo on the way to Suzuka. Tokyo is so unique and I love all the local food, I actually have a table booked at a sushi restaurant that I have wanted to visit since last year.

What about the track? Everyone says it's a real driver's circuit, a bit like Spa. How do you feel about it?
I've always loved Suzuka circuit. It's tough for a driver and a proper racer's track. The whole first sector is great fun and there is so much time to be gained there with the right set-up. Saying that, I think the last chicane is the most difficult corner on the track because you have to brake from such high speeds and really attack the car on the kerbs.

The atmosphere's a bit special too...
Definitely. I can't talk about Japan without mentioning the fans, we always get awesome gifts and you can see them in the grandstands dressed up in fully branded race suits and helmets which is pretty special to see.