Formula 1 will return to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia from October 2-4, 2026. This event will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, replacing the postponed Bahrain Grand Prix. The original Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were deferred in April due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The return to Sepang provides Lewis Hamilton with a significant advantage over his rivals. Hamilton, now with Ferrari, possesses extensive experience at the Malaysian circuit. He secured a victory at Sepang in 2014 during his time with Mercedes.
Hamilton also holds the outright lap record at the Sepang International Circuit. He achieved a 1:30.076 in qualifying for the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. This time remains unbeaten at the 5.543-kilometre track.
In contrast, Kimi Antonelli, currently leading the 2026 Drivers’ Championship for Mercedes, has no prior Formula 1 race experience at Sepang. The circuit was removed from the calendar in 2017, before Antonelli’s F1 debut in 2025.
Antonelli, at 19 years old, has had an impressive 2026 season, securing six wins and nine podiums from 11 rounds. He has also become the youngest driver to lead a lap and the youngest championship leader.
The Sepang circuit is renowned for its demanding characteristics, including intense heat, high humidity, and unpredictable tropical downpours. Its wide layout, long straights, and sweeping corners present a significant physical and technical challenge.
Hamilton has previously described Sepang as his most challenging track, citing the physical demands and variable weather conditions. This deep understanding of the circuit’s nuances will be crucial.
The decision to host the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia ensures the 2026 F1 calendar meets the minimum 21 rounds required by the Concorde Agreement. The event will form part of an Asian triple-header.
Sepang, designed by Hermann Tilke and opened in 1999, hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix for 19 seasons. Its return marks the first Formula 1 event there in nearly a decade.
