The 2026 Formulation 1 season continues this weekend as Sepang hosts Spherical 16 on the calendar, the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Free Observe 1 and a couple of will happen on Friday, October 2, adopted by Free Observe 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, October 3, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, October 4.
Very important statistics
- First Grand Prix – 1999 (because the Malaysian Grand Prix)
- Monitor Size – 5.543km
- Lap document – 1m 34.080s, Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 2017
- Most pole positions – Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher (5)
- Most wins – Sebastian Vettel (4)
- Trivia – Sepang was the primary F1 observe to be designed by famend circuit architect Hermann Tilke
- Overtakes accomplished in 2017 – 73
- Security Automotive chance – 20%*
- Digital Security Automotive chance – 20%*
- Pit cease time loss – 23.7 seconds
*From the final 5 Grands Prix at Sepang
The driving force’s verdict
Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: Sepang is a brilliantly flowing lap, with a quick center sector splintering massive braking zones with loads of switchback alternative.
Flip 1 is extraordinarily extensive and it’s essential to assault the brakes earlier than getting again to hug a late apex to get properly out of the tighter Flip 2 and up the next curved straight.
The center sector is all about high-speed stability and circulate. A dedicated entry is required on the entry for the extremely high-speed run by 5 earlier than selecting your change of path completely into 6 because the observe drops away barely. That is the very best pace cornering part on the circuit. Flip 7 is a bit slower and straightforward to run extensive on the exit earlier than the ultimate a part of that sequence which ought to be an acceleration zone if executed proper.
Braking for each Turns 11 and 14 are tough and all about really feel as you’re coaxing the automobile by proper hand bends on method, particularly for 14 the place it’s simple to lock the fitting entrance. Once more, the exit of this nook is crucial, main into the ultimate massive stamp on the brakes and an overtaking probability on the ultimate flip.
Tyre and technique perception
“Sepang incorporates a comparatively abrasive floor, with a stage of roughness akin to Bahrain, whereas retaining its personal distinctive traits,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview. “Grip ranges are prone to be low on Friday however ought to enhance progressively over the course of the weekend because the observe evolves. One of many primary challenges dealing with groups will likely be thermal administration throughout each axles.
“The circuit has undergone a number of modifications in recent times. In 2023, the part between Turns 6 and 12 was resurfaced, with additional work carried out within the space round Flip 9. Nonetheless, the general traits of the floor, as assessed by Pirelli engineers only a few weeks in the past, stay similar to these recorded in 2017.
“Extra lately, from the start of September, extra floor levelling work was carried out to take away irregularities within the asphalt, alongside cleansing operations geared toward bettering observe circumstances forward of the World Championship occasion.
“Groups may also need to take care of an absence of accessible information. Regardless of being a historic venue, no crew possesses really related references regarding the present era of Formulation 1 automobiles.
“In consequence, Friday follow periods will likely be extra essential than ordinary, each for drivers, who might want to familiarise themselves with a circuit that many have solely skilled within the simulator, and for groups, which should determine the right automobile stability and assess tyre behaviour.
“Whereas there is no such thing as a scarcity of technical unknowns, the climate may add an extra layer of complexity. Afternoon thunderstorms are an everyday function of the area in early October and will have an effect on any session throughout the weekend. Intense warmth, excessive humidity and sudden downpours have at all times been among the many defining traits of the Malaysian Grand Prix throughout its years as a everlasting fixture on the Formulation 1 calendar.”
Present Type
Kimi Antonelli stays on the prime of the drivers’ standings regardless of a sub-optimal weekend in Baku, the place a crash in Qualifying meant the Mercedes did properly to salvage fifth within the race.
In distinction, crew mate George Russell loved probably his finest weekend of the season, taking a dominant pole earlier than holding off Max Verstappen within the closing phases for his third victory of the 12 months, bringing Antonelli’s margin right down to 66 factors.
Verstappen was only one tenth off his first win of the season, however Pink Bull look to be discovering type as Isack Hadjar claimed a podium on his return from a wrist harm.
Azerbaijan proved to be a catastrophe for McLaren as neither driver scored, with reigning World Champion Lando Norris eradicated in a crash, however the Briton has beforehand confirmed to be the closest challenger to Mercedes previous to the final spherical.
Ferrari, in the meantime, left Baku with a double factors end and will likely be trying to discover higher efficiency to as soon as once more problem for wins.
Within the midfield struggle, Racing Bulls pulled additional forward of Alpine within the groups’ standings as they battle for P5, with Franco Colapinto set to serve a five-place grid penalty in Sepang for the Baku incident that eradicated himself and crew mate Pierre Gasly.
Haas will likely be trying to rating extra factors after the crew’s first double factors end, whereas Williams‘ main improve gave Carlos Sainz the possibility to complete inside the highest 10 for the primary time since Might.
Iconic Moments in Sepang
There have been no scarcity of memorable moments from the Sepang Worldwide Circuit over time, typically involving sudden downpours of rain which have precipitated chaos and produced thrilling races.
However an absence of rain doesn’t suggest there is no such thing as a drama, with Pink Bull crew mates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber proving the purpose in 2013 because the pair went wheel-to-wheel for the win, the previous victorious after disobeying crew orders.
To view memorable moments from Sepang, click on on the video participant under.
