Why a return to Sepang is a 'golden ticket' for Formula 1 drivers

Formula 1 drivers are eagerly awaiting this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and the sport’s return to Sepang after a nine-year absence.

The circuit hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix 19 times between 1999 and the most recent event in 2017. The first of a new generation of permanent venues – followed by the likes of Bahrain, Shanghai, Istanbul and Abu Dhabi among others – at the time, the track set new standards in terms of facilities.

It always produced good racing, with drivers enjoying its flowing layout and overtaking opportunities. Weather always played a part, with the hot and humid conditions making it a tough challenge for the drivers, while rain was always a possibility.

And that adds an extra dimension to this event given that we have made it to Round 16 and still not seen a fully wet session in 2026, never mind a race.

Despite the track’s long absence from the calendar, 10 of the drivers on the current grid have raced at Sepang, namely Fernando Alonso (first start in 2001), Lewis Hamilton (2007), Nico Hulkenberg (2010), Sergio Perez (2011), Valtteri Bottas (2013), Carlos Sainz (2015), Max Verstappen (2015), Esteban Ocon (2016), Pierre Gasly (2017) and Lance Stroll (2017).

None of them know Sepang as well as Alonso, who won in 2005 with Renault, in 2007 with McLaren, and in 2012 with Ferrari. Given his good record there, it’s perhaps not surprising that the Aston Martin driver is keen to return.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward,” he said. “I didn't think that I will race in Malaysia again, so that's a golden ticket that I take. An incredible circuit, demanding race, temperature, humidity – like Singapore, but in daytime.

“So it will be also a good test for drivers, and yeah, looking forward. I think from the remaining races, probably Sepang is the nicest track. So let's see.”

Hamilton finished second to Alonso in what was his second ever F1 start in 2007, and he went on to win the race in 2014.

He has also spent more time in Kuala Lumpur than his fellow drivers thanks to his long relationship with Mercedes title sponsor Petronas.

“I always loved going to KL had lots of great experiences there with my previous team,” he said. “And the track is awesome. And it's a track that does give good racing.

“So I very much welcome it, I'm looking forward to it. It's a super-hot circuit. It’s going to be one that's physically massively demanding, so I look forward to that challenge.”

Hamilton stressed that the physical side is an important part of being an F1 driver.

“This is supposed to be the sport that's the most physically demanding, mentally and physically,” he said. “And there are some that are just so hot, and ultimately you are on the edge. Like Singapore is incredibly hot and demanding.

“Malaysia will be crazy this year, but that's where I think you want to see athletes just right at the edge of their performance, having to actually push their bodies further. Because that's what this sport is about – pushing the levels, and pushing the boundaries.”

The other past Sepang winner in the current field is Verstappen, who triumphed in 2017. So is the Red Bull driver looking forward to going back?

“Actually not, because I was actually quite happy that I won the final one there!” he joked. “No, I think it's a great track. I really enjoy being there. It's very tough I think just from the heat already, but also degradation will be really tough on the tyres. So yeah, it's a nice place. So excited to go back and see we can do there.”

So what of the 12 drivers who have yet to race at Sepang? They’ve all been busy in factory simulators, but one of them has a little more experience than the others.

"Malaysia, I'm excited for,” said Lando Norris. “It's one I've seen many races on when I was younger, and growing up. And actually, I remember I did sim support for Fernando and Stoffel [Vandoorne] when they raced there many years ago.

“So I remember going into the factory at midnight or whatever stupid time it was, and driving till 7am just to support the guys. So it's not completely new to me, but it'll be a first time going to the circuit itself, which is exciting.”

For everyone else, Sepang is a track that they know only from watching past races on TV and their recent simulator runs.

“I think it's always very nice as a driver to discover a new track,” said World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli. “I've done it on the sim, and it looks like a pretty cool track.

"Very fast, flowing, long corners, not easy, especially to put the lap together. I think it's going to be very interesting as well with tyre degradation. We might see two, three stops, because tyre deg is going to be big.

“But another question mark is going to be the weather. I've seen the forecast, and it seems to rain pretty heavily at a specific time of the day. So there's going to be a lot of unknowns. Obviously, it's going to be very, very hot. It's going to be a good challenge – and I’m looking forward to it.”