For the first time in almost a decade, F1® is back in Malaysia. Audi Revolut F1® Team is set to take to the Sepang track for one of the most physically demanding race weekends of the year.
Malaysia makes a long-awaited return to the F1® calendar this weekend. With Bahrain International Circuit unable to host this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix, a deal was struck over the summer for Malaysia to take over hosting duties of the 2026 event. This will be Sepang International Circuit’s first appearance at the pinnacle of motorsport since 2017 – and it presents a rare opportunity for Audi Revolut F1® Team to experience this timeless venue.
It was an unlucky weekend in Azerbaijan, where the team recorded its first double Q1 elimination of the year as a result of yellow flags compromising both Nico and Gabi’s final runs in the first stage of qualifying. From there, both drivers made progress through the field but finished outside of the top ten. Nevertheless, the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend presents another opportunity to better understand the R26’s upgraded package.
Sepang International Circuit first joined the F1® calendar back in 1999 as the sport expanded further into Asia. It continued to host the Malaysian Grand Prix in every season until 2017, witnessing memorable maiden wins, team-mate feuds and storm-impacted racing over its tenure on the schedule.
By the end of its first stint on the calendar, ticket sales for the event had fallen – especially since nearby Singapore began hosting its own F1® race in 2008. The decline in popularity combined with a rise in hosting fees ultimately led to the venue ending its contract one year early and hosting the Malaysian Grand Prix for the final time in 2017.
Ever since it departed the schedule, fans have been keen to see Sepang’s return. While a longer-term future on the calendar is not currently expected for the fan-favourite track, we can revel in this one-off opportunity to see F1® back at one of the modern loncircuits.
Circuit
Sepang International Circuit
Location
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Circuit Length
5.543 km
Race distance
310.398 km
Number of laps
56
First Grand Prix
1999
Fastest race lap
1:34.080, Sebastian Vettel, 2017
2026 weekend format
Standard weekend
1 / 0
Allan McNish
Allan McNish
"Baku was another step on our journey of growth: we went close to scoring points, and we saw another good display of operations, with fast pit stops and solid teamwork. We are all looking forward to seeing how our package will work on a more traditional track layout, one that should more accurately show the benefit of our upgrades. We felt this circuit should suit us better, so the aim is to put ourselves in a stronger position and fight for points, after having narrowly missing out on them last weekend."
1 / 0
Nico Hulkenberg
Nico Hulkenberg
"This circuit has been around for a long time and it’s one we haven't raced at for a while. It's not a track that relies on big headline corners, but there are a few sections that are quite technical and reward getting the details right. Add the heat and the humidity, and it always creates an interesting challenge. We learned a few useful things with the new package in Baku, and now it's about building on that and extracting more from it."
1 / 0
Gabriel Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto
(...) so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with it in Sepang. It’s a new circuit for me, and it will be important to make the most of the practice sessions to learn everything about it, but I’m excited to get out there. We’ve been close to the points over the last few races, so hopefully we’ll be able to take another step in the right direction and be in the mix again."
Kuala Lumpur
Tuesday 29.09.26
34°
Scattered thunderstorms
Hourly forecast
1 am
27°
2 am
27°
3 am
26°
4 am
26°
Heat, humidity and uncertain weather, combined with Sepang’s fast and flowing nature all contribute to the track’s reputation for unpredictable racing. Its mix of long straights and heavy braking zones means there are plenty of opportunities for overtaking, while the circuit’s relatively late addition to the 2026 schedule and the fact that there is no data from the circuit since 2017 adds an extra slice of intrigue over the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
Sepang’s snaking opening corners are among the best overtaking opportunities around the circuit. Following a 900 metre-long main straight, the 16 metre wide Turn 1 is a place to watch out for late braking, while Turn 2 is the perfect point to pull off a sneaky switchback.
Following the fast and flowing opening sector, the 90-degree Turn 4 is a heavier braking point. Bravery on the brakes at this slightly uphill turn could be rewarded.
Turn 9 is a left-handed hairpin, where the uphill approach and crest at the apex can make the car difficult to settle. Oversteer is a common hazard and it’s a tricky corner to master in qualifying.
Separating the back straight from the start/finish straight, the hairpin at Turn 15 is crucial to get right in qualifying and is a prime passing place in the race. Energy deployment on the two straights before and after this turn could be key to getting the best lap time and making progress in the Grand Prix.
Audi Revolut F1® Team’s debut at Sepang International Circuit will also mark Gabi’s first competitive outing in Kuala Lumpur. Nico, on the other hand, has plenty of experience at the track. He first raced here almost 20 years ago when representing Team Germany in the A1GP Championship. In the Feature Race, in wet conditions, he dominated the field and took victory by over 40 seconds. Since then, Nico made seven Malaysian Grand Prix appearances between 2010 and 2017, scoring points five times and taking a best finish of fifth in 2014.
The team is about to experience two of its most physically challenging races of the year, encountering the customary high humidity of both Malaysia and Singapore in two successive weekends. Gaining every position and every point possible will be crucial as the heat of the Constructors’ Championship battle intensifies.
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At the core of the design is a lion graphic inspired by the guardian lions found at the entrances of many temples and pagodas across the city, symbols of protection and strength.
