Formula One returns to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017 for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

The Sepang circuit first hosted the sport in 1999 at the purpose-built track and continued to do so for 18 years. Now, the circuit has stepped up at short notice to host the postponed Bahrain Grand Prix, bringing Formula One back to Malaysia. The flowing and demanding Sepang track includes long, wide opening and closing straights, hairpins and a range of flowing corners. Combined with the weather, which will be incredibly hot and humid, the race will prove a tough challenge for drivers in the cockpit and teams in the garage. The most recent race in Kuala Lumpur was Pierre’s debut in Formula One and he now returns with over 190 Grands Prix under his belt and is one of nine drivers on the current grid to have raced at the circuit previously in the championship.

Pierre Gasly

“I have very good memories of Malaysia as it is where I made my Formula One debut back in 2017. I was actually looking back on some photos of that weekend the other day and it is quite amazing how much the cars and the sport has changed. I have also changed a bit, I was definitely a bit younger, a bit fresher and I think my neck has doubled in size! It was a very good time in my career, which set me on my way in this sport. Focusing on what is coming, we are now in the middle of a triple header and I returned home to Milan after Baku for a few days rest ahead of this weekend. I am feeling fresh and ready to take on the challenge of Sepang. It’s a mixed grid as to who has experience racing there and who has not. I know the demands with the conditions, it’s very hot and humid, always prone to some rain, and also the track layout, which is quite high speed and physical throughout. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully we can continue our good level of performance from recent races.”

Franco Colapinto

“It will be my first experience in Sepang. It’s a circuit I have heard and seen a lot about, growing up watching Formula One. One thing that stands out are the conditions with it being so hot and humid and there always seems to be a high chance of seeing some rain. I flew to Enstone after Baku, as planned, to spend a day on the simulator. That was quite unique, as we are preparing to adapt to the timezone, I was at the factory at 5am along with my engineers. I’m looking forward to experiencing Malaysia and the job at hand is to aim for a productive Friday, have the car in a good set-up window and hopefully be in a position to compete for the top ten on both days again.”

Steve Nielsen

“We head to a legendary track, Sepang, for what is quite a unique weekend in Formula One terms: the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Firstly, credit to Formula One, the FIA and both the organisers in Malaysia and in Bahrain for being able to put this race on. It’s no straightforward feat to organise a Grand Prix at short notice and it has been a big logistical challenge to have everything prepared in time, but we are very much looking forward to returning to Sepang for the first time in nine years. It is a great track and has been the location of some iconic moments in our sport in years gone by. The performance of our car since the summer break has been good and we hope to take that forwards to Malaysia this weekend. It’s a track with a lot of medium to high-speed corners and two decent straights which will likely bring overtaking opportunities. We have confidence in our package, and we go there with an aim to return to the points as we look to recover some ground in the Championship.”