Italian driver Kimi Antonelli is determined to bounce back and rebuild his lead in the Formula One drivers' championship as the series returns to Malaysia this weekend. Antonelli, who finished fifth in Azerbaijan, leads Mercedes teammate George Russell by 66 points. However, he was hampered by a hydraulics failure in practice and crashed in qualifying, starting 16th on the grid. Antonelli aims to "re-establish the order" at Sepang International Circuit, which last hosted Formula One in 2017.
The 20-year-old Antonelli, seeking to be Italy's first champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, was only 11th at Sepang in his previous visit. The circuit will host Sunday's race in place of Bahrain, which was cancelled due to the war in the Middle East. Antonelli joked that he was "driving more like my grandma" in Azerbaijan. He faces stiff competition from teammate Russell, who has vowed to prevail in all of the remaining eight race weekends this season.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, demonstrated his speed and power in Baku, finishing second behind Russell. Verstappen and teammate Isack Hadjar showcased Red Bull's straight-line speed, making them a threat to the Mercedes pair. Ferrari and McLaren will also be major contenders at Sepang, with Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur rallying his team to fight for every remaining point.
Vasseur shrugged off rumors linking former Red Bull chief Christian Horner with his job, saying the team will bring upgrades and push until the last corner. He noted that data from the 2017 Malaysia race would be "practically irrelevant" due to changes in tires, engines, and chassis. Ferrari declared full confidence in Vasseur, who had expressed frustration at being asked about Horner.
McLaren's Lando Norris apologized for his comments about Alpine's Franco Colapinto, saying he should not have suggested Colapinto be banned. Colapinto collided with teammate Pierre Gasly, who hit Norris, taking all three out of the race. Norris sent Colapinto a message apologizing for his comments, acknowledging that emotions were running high but that was no excuse.
The Malaysian Grand Prix, officially still called the Bahrain Grand Prix, promises to be a closely fought contest. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will seek to add to his record, while two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will hunt a record-equalling fourth Sepang victory. The Sepang circuit is known for its fast, sweeping corners, and some drivers will rediscover the circuit while others will experience it for the first time.
The return to Sepang, a circuit that has not hosted Formula One since 2017, will bring a new challenge to the drivers. Weather conditions, including rain and storms, are a factor in Malaysia, adding to the uncertainty of the race. With eight remaining race weekends, the championship battle is far from over, and Antonelli is determined to re-establish his lead.
Key points
- Kimi Antonelli aims to regain his lead in the F1 drivers' championship at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
- The Malaysian Grand Prix will be a closely fought contest, with several drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, in contention.
- Ferrari and McLaren will be major threats at Sepang, with upgrades and a strong team effort expected.
