Formula 1 officially returns to Malaysia this year, nine years after the last race, but with a little twist. The race will officially be labelled the “Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia” as we play host to the previously cancelled gulf grand prix over the 2-4 October 2026 weekend.
As excitement revs to the redline, we thought a little drive down the nostalgic straights of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) with some of the more memorable moments, facts and stats from past races would be a fitting way to prepare for the race.
1. Sepang was penned by a world-renowned circuit designer!
SIC was designed by renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke but the track was also his first major, ground-up Formula 1 design and served as his breakthrough international project.
Since then, he has gone onto penning some of the most entertaining layouts on the calendar, including the Bahrain International Circuit, Istanbul Park, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Yas Marina Circuit, Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
SIC measures 5.543 km in length and features 15 turns with eight straights. Its highlights include the double straights split by the tight, brake-heavy hairpin at Turn 15 leading onto the main straight that allows for speeds in excess of 300 km/h.
2. Sepang will be the fourth circuit to host a race for a different country
This is not the first time a circuit has hosted an official race named after a different country. The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will be the fourth time this has happened in Formula 1.
The three previous cross-border hosting instances are the:
- San Marino Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Italy from 1981 to 2006
- Luxembourg Grand Prix held at the Nürburgring in Germany from 1997 to 1998
- Swiss Grand Prix held at the Dijon-Prenois circuit in France in 1982
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3. Things kicked off with a bang as the maiden race ended with disqualification…
The inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix was held on 17 October 1999 and had all the hallmarks of an eventful race.
It marked the return of Michael Schumacher from a broken leg injury that saw him sit out six races, and the German proceeded to dominate qualifying and took pole. He graciously allowed teammate Irvine to take victory for a Ferrari 1-2 that nabbed the constructor’s championship and helped the Ulsterman secure second place in the driver’s table.
However, both Ferraris were disqualified post-race due to irregularities with the car’s bargeboards – though the results were reinstated a week later following an appeal by the team.
Talk about drama.
4. One of Formula 1’s most iconic catchphrases originated from Malaysia
If you assumed the first race brought all the piping hot tea, then you will definitely remember the infamous “Multi-21” saga in 2013.
The now immortalised Red Bull phrase was code for Sebastian Vettel to refrain from overtaking teammate Mark Webber, who was leading the race. Vettel promptly ignored team orders and overtook Webber to claim victory, leading to an extremely frosty post-race celebration.
5. Who is the king of Sepang?
Speaking of Sebastian Vettel, the German is the most victorious driver at SIC with a total of four wins to his name, including the 2013 Multi-21 win. His other wins came in 2010, 2011, and 2015.
In fact, if he had listened to team orders and remained behind Mark Webber, he would be tied with Michael Schumacher for the most Malaysian Grand Prix wins at three each. That period also marked the four consecutive Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship titles Vettel won with Red Bull, from 2010 to 2013.
6. SIC has been the stage of many firsts, starting with…
Malaysia also marked the first ever career podium for Jenson Button as the British driver finished third for BAR-Honda in 2004. That was upgraded to a win during a rain-shortened 2009 race (more on this later…), the same year he won the World Drivers’ Championship for the legendary Brawn GP outfit.
7. Even Lewis Hamilton has a first at SIC!
It would appear that the Malaysian Grand Prix has a knack for many firsts, including Lewis Hamilton’s maiden Formula 1 Grand Slam (pole position, setting the fastest lap, leading every single lap of the race, winning).
The winningest driver in the sport achieved this remarkable feat during the 2014 race, behind the wheel of the Mercedes F1 W05.
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8. The stage for a world record that still stands!
Keeping with the theme of firsts, the Malaysian grand prix was also the stage where a budding Max Verstappen became the youngest driver ever to score points in Formula 1. The dynamic Dutchman finished 7th, earning six championship points for Torro Rosso at just 17 years, 5 months, and 29 days old. His record still stands.
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9. Can Max pick up where he left off?
Max Verstappen loves SIC for more than just his first points finish. Verstappen also won the last-ever Malaysian Grand Prix on 1 October 2017, marking his second win – one day after his 20th birthday. Not a shabby way to celebrate a birthday.
Furthermore, if Max wins the race this year it will be consecutive wins at SIC… but with a nine year gap between races.
10. Rain rain go away…
Sepang has always had a reputation as a wet and wild venue with some torrential downpours adding excitement to some of the races of very year.
The worst hit race is the very same one that Jenson Button won in 2009, which we highlighted above, on his way to the World Drivers’ Championship for the legendary Brawn GP outfit. Monsoon-levels of rain flooded the track on Lap 31, leading to a red flag and early end for the race. This saw Button declared the winner and awarded half-points due to the short distance covered. Some still declare this the wettest race in Formula 1 history.
Earlier in 2001, it was a similar story. Heavy rain in the beginning caused both Ferraris to spin off at the same corner, before recovering and leading a 1-2 finish.
Given the recent weather, it could very well be another wash out come October. Would you rather the sky unexpectedly open up during the race and throw a monkey wrench into the works? We definitely would.
