Formula One is set to make a comeback at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit this weekend, marking the first time the circuit has hosted a Formula One race since 2017. The Sepang circuit, which first appeared on the calendar in 1999, was dropped due to the Malaysian government's inability to justify the costs given the declining returns. The circuit is now set to host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix, with owners Liberty Media relocating the race from Sakhir due to the Iran war and the situation in the Middle East.
The 5.5km long Sepang circuit combines long straights with several high-speed corners, and the 2026 race is set to be held over 56 laps. Only 10 of the 22 drivers have previously raced in Malaysia, leaving world champion Lando Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri among those who will be learning the track for the first time. McLaren racing director Randy Singh stated that the team has prepared extensively in the simulator, but acknowledged that there can be uncertainty around the accuracy of circuit models and understanding of the tarmac.
The knowledge gap extends beyond individual drivers to entire teams, with no outfit holding meaningful reference data from the current generation of Formula One cars at Sepang. Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion with 71 race wins, was the last driver to triumph at Sepang in what was his second career victory, a reminder of how much the sport has evolved since the circuit's departure from the calendar. This will be a new experience for many drivers, including Verstappen, who will be racing on a circuit he last won at in 2017.
Tyre supplier Pirelli has warned teams to expect challenging conditions, describing Sepang's surface as "relatively abrasive" with roughness comparable to Bahrain. However, despite recent resurfacing work, they said the overall characteristics remain similar to 2017. Pirelli expects grip levels to be low on Friday but improve progressively over the course of the weekend as the track evolves.
The tropical climate adds another layer of complexity, with hot and humid conditions making tyre management crucial while creating physical demands for drivers. The ever-present threat of sudden rainfall could also disrupt even the most carefully crafted race strategies. Drivers will need to adapt quickly to the challenging conditions to succeed in the race.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton shares the record at Sepang for most poles with Michael Schumacher, with five each, but the Briton has won only once, in 2014, with Mercedes. Nico Hulkenberg, Audi's 39-year-old Formula One veteran with more than 260 starts, expressed his excitement to return to Sepang, describing it as a circuit that rewards getting the details right.
Hulkenberg noted that Sepang is not a track that relies on big headline corners, but rather on technical sections that require precision. He added that the heat and humidity always create an interesting challenge. With many drivers and teams facing a new experience at Sepang, the weekend's events are expected to be closely watched.
Key points
- Over half of the Formula One drivers are unfamiliar with the Sepang circuit.
- The Sepang circuit is set to host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix.
- Tyre management will be crucial due to the tropical climate and abrasive surface.
