The idea of seeing Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit back on the Formula 1 calendar has been a recurring wish among drivers and fans alike for almost a decade. Over the past nine years, whenever the question of a nostalgic comeback has arisen, Sepang has often been mentioned as a top candidate.
That long‑standing hope finally materialises this weekend, as the sport will once again roar through the 3.44‑mile, high‑speed layout on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur – the first F1 race there since 2017. The circumstances that have led to Sepang hosting a Grand Prix this year are unusual. Originally, the Bahrain Grand Prix was slated for 12 April at the Sakhir circuit, but the outbreak of war in the Middle East forced the cancellation of both the Bahrain and the following Saudi Arabian rounds. In July, a trilateral agreement between the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia, together with the FIA and Formula 1, created a workaround: the Bahrain Grand Prix would be staged at Sepang, effectively moving the event more than 3,000 miles away from its traditional home.
The race has been slotted into a free slot between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which took place last week, and the Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for the following weekend. Bahrain will shoulder most of the financial burden, and the event will officially be titled the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. "The relationship between Bahrain and Malaysia is very strong, and Sepang is a fantastic circuit," explained Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, chief executive of the Bahrain International Circuit, in an interview with Sky Sports F1.
"For F1, the calendar is crucial. We have gone from 24 races to 22, and keeping a race on the schedule is important for the sport, the sponsors and the teams." Sepang first made its mark on the sport in October 1999, when it hosted the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix. Designed entirely by Hermann Tilke, the track became a benchmark for modern F1 venues and remains one of his most challenging creations. The 15‑turn layout blends medium‑high‑speed corners, two lengthy straights and generous braking zones, delivering a mix of technical difficulty and overtaking opportunities.
"The circuit has a wonderful flow," said Jamie Chadwick, a former F3 Asian Champion who raced at Sepang, to Sky Sports F1. "It feels a bit like a hybrid of Shanghai and Budapest in places. The long straights feeding into each other will make energy deployment strategies very interesting, and drivers who have been there before will pick it up quickly, even if the younger ones only know it from simulators." Weather has always been a defining element of Sepang races.
Malaysia's tropical climate can swing from scorching sunshine to heavy rain within minutes. High track temperatures in dry conditions test drivers, tyres and power units to their limits, while sudden downpours can turn the race into a chaotic scramble. In 2009, a torrential rainstorm forced a red flag with 25 laps remaining, and the event was never restarted after several cars aquaplaned off the circuit.
"The humidity will be a shock to the system," Chadwick added. "With Singapore nearby on the calendar, drivers will face back‑to‑back hot, humid races, making tyre management and physical stamina critical." Even seasoned veterans are eager to return.
Lewis Hamilton, who has started eleven times at Sepang and earned five poles – a joint record – and a single victory in 2014, expressed enthusiasm about revisiting the venue. "I always loved going to KL. I have great memories with my previous team, especially with our Malaysian title sponsor Petronas.
The circuit offers real racing and is physically demanding, so I look forward to the challenge," he said. Max Verstappen, the 2017 winner, echoed the sentiment: "It’s a great track. The heat is tough, and tyre degradation will be a major factor." Among the current grid, ten drivers actually raced at Sepang in 2017, including Charles Leclerc, who was then with Sauber during Friday practice.
Younger drivers such as Alex Albon and Liam Lawson have only experienced the circuit in junior categories, while others – notably Lando Norris – have learned it solely through simulators. Norris admitted, "I’ve done a lot of simulator work for Fernando and Stoffel at Sepang, even pulling all‑nighters in the factory.
It’s not completely new to me, but stepping onto the actual tarmac will be exciting. The lack of a battery‑powered boost on the two high‑speed corners is a slight disappointment, but overall it’s a fresh challenge." Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who was just eleven when the last Grand Prix took place, also looks forward to his first real‑world lap. "Discovering a new track is always exciting. The layout is fast‑flowing with long corners, and tyre wear will likely force two or three stops," he explained.
What can spectators expect from the 56‑lap showdown that kicks off at 8 a.m. on Sky Sports F1? Norris predicts a chaotic spectacle, likening it to the high‑speed drama of Monza: "The combination of long straights and tight corners should produce plenty of overtaking, especially if the weather changes." Teams will need to strike a delicate balance between aerodynamic downforce for the twisty sections and low drag for the straight‑line bursts.
A sudden rain shower would upend any strategy, turning the race into a gamble on tyre choice and driver skill. In summary, the return of Formula 1 to Sepang under the banner of the Bahrain Grand Prix promises a weekend filled with high temperatures, potential weather twists and a circuit that rewards both engineering ingenuity and driver endurance. Fans can tune in live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday morning, and stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract.