Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is determined to bounce back from a challenging weekend in Azerbaijan, where he finished fifth and was beaten by teammate George Russell for the first time in six races. Antonelli, who leads Russell by 66 points in the drivers' championship, attributed his struggles to a hydraulics failure in practice and a crash in qualifying. He will start Sunday's race at the Sepang International Circuit from 16th on the grid.
The 20-year-old Italian driver has vowed to "re-establish the order" at Sepang, which last hosted a Formula One race in 2017. Antonelli joked that he was "driving more like my grandma" in Azerbaijan, but is confident of regaining his usual form. His teammate, George Russell, has emerged as a strong challenger, and Antonelli acknowledged that Russell has always been a rival.
The Sepang International Circuit, which hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 2002 to 2017, returns to the Formula One calendar this weekend. The circuit's fast, sweeping corners and long straights will provide a different challenge for drivers compared to the streets of Baku. Ferrari and McLaren are expected to be major threats at Sepang, with Ferrari's boss, Fred Vasseur, rallying his team to fight for every remaining point.
Ferrari's Vasseur has shrugged off rumors linking former Red Bull chief Christian Horner with his job, and has expressed confidence in his team's ability to push for upgrades and points. He noted that data from the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix would be "practically irrelevant" due to changes in tires, engines, and chassis. Meanwhile, Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who finished second in Azerbaijan, demonstrated the team's power and straight-line speed.
Other drivers, including McLaren's Lando Norris and Alpine's Franco Colapinto, have also made headlines recently. Norris apologized to Colapinto for suggesting that he should be banned after a collision between Colapinto and his teammate Pierre Gasly took all three drivers out of the race. The incident highlighted the intense emotions and competitiveness of the sport.
The Malaysian Grand Prix, officially still called the Bahrain Grand Prix, is expected to be a closely contested event. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will seek to add to his record of five poles and one win at Sepang, while two-time world champion Fernando Alonso will hunt a record-equalling fourth Sepang victory. The race will take place on Sunday, with the usual threat of rain and storms in Malaysia.
As the Formula One season approaches its climax, drivers and teams will be pushing for every point. Antonelli's ability to regain his momentum and re-establish his lead in the championship will be crucial in the remaining eight race weekends. The competition is expected to be fierce, with multiple teams and drivers in contention for top honors.
Key points
- Kimi Antonelli aims to regain his lead in the Formula One drivers' championship at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
- The Sepang International Circuit returns to the Formula One calendar after a four-year absence.
- Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull are expected to be major threats at Sepang.
