Juan Pablo Montoya believes Formula 1’s return to Sepang could play particularly well to the strengths of Max Verstappen and championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The former Williams and McLaren driver expects the Malaysian circuit’s demanding, high-commitment layout to reward drivers willing to push their cars to the limit.
Speaking on F1TV, Juan Pablo Montoya explained that Sepang could give both Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli an opportunity to excel when Formula 1 returns to the circuit later this season. In his view, the combination of fast corners, physical demands and the courage required to attack the track makes it particularly suitable for drivers with an aggressive approach.
Sepang is Juan Pablo Montoya’s favourite Formula 1 circuit
Formula 1 and the FIA recently confirmed the championship’s return to Malaysia after nine years away from Sepang. The circuit will host the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix, which could not take place at its traditional venue because of the conflict in the Middle East, while the event will retain the Bahrain Grand Prix name.
The unusual arrangement will bring Formula 1 back to Sepang from 2–4 October, with further details of the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix move to Malaysia already confirmed.
Juan Pablo Montoya welcomed the news enthusiastically, revealing that Sepang remains his favourite circuit from his Formula 1 career.
“It was one of those tracks where you really had to hustle the car. It’s pretty amazing. I raced there and it’s incredible,” Juan Pablo Montoya explained. “Honestly, it’s my favourite track in Formula 1. If you ask me what my favourite track is, it’s there. You need to be extra brave to be fast there.”
The Colombian also highlighted just how much commitment some of Sepang’s high-speed corners require.
“It’s not because the high-speed corners aren’t flat, but they’re almost flat if you think you’re brave enough – or stupid enough – to try it. I made it many times, and I crashed there many times.”
Why Montoya believes Sepang will suit Max Verstappen
Beyond his memories of racing in Malaysia, Juan Pablo Montoya also offered a prediction about which current Formula 1 drivers could benefit most from Sepang’s return.
Max Verstappen was one of the first names he mentioned. The Red Bull driver is renowned for his ability to push a car aggressively and extract performance in high-commitment sections, qualities Juan Pablo Montoya believes should work particularly well at Sepang.
“I think it’s an amazing track for a guy like Max, who likes hustling the car,” Juan Pablo Montoya said.
Max Verstappen already has winning experience at Sepang. The Dutchman triumphed there in 2017, the final Formula 1 race held at the circuit before its removal from the calendar.
Kimi Antonelli also tipped to succeed at Sepang
Juan Pablo Montoya believes Kimi Antonelli could be equally well suited to the circuit despite having no previous Formula 1 race experience at Sepang.
“I think Antonelli is going to succeed there as well,” Juan Pablo Montoya added. “So it’s going to be really cool to see. It’s going to be really hot as well.”
The Mercedes driver will therefore face a very different challenge from Max Verstappen when Formula 1 arrives in Malaysia. While Verstappen already knows what it takes to win at Sepang, Kimi Antonelli will experience the circuit for the first time in a Grand Prix weekend.
The Italian nevertheless arrives as the leader of the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, making every new circuit and every unfamiliar challenge increasingly important as the title battle develops.
Juan Pablo Montoya’s prediction adds another intriguing element to Antonelli’s second half of the season. Although the Mercedes driver continues to lead the championship, questions remain over how he will handle new pressures and unfamiliar situations, with Luigi Mazzola among those urging caution over declaring Kimi Antonelli a champion too early.
Sepang should provide an especially revealing test. Its fast corners demand commitment, its heat makes the race physically punishing and its layout rewards confidence behind the wheel. Juan Pablo Montoya believes those characteristics could make the returning Malaysian venue particularly favourable to both Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli.
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