Max Verstappen is looking forward to Formula 1’s return to Sepang, a circuit that holds particularly positive memories for the four-time world champion. Nine years after winning the last Formula 1 race staged at the Malaysian venue, the Red Bull driver heads back to the demanding circuit hoping to build on his second-place finish in Azerbaijan.
Formula 1 last raced at Sepang in 2017, when the event was officially the Malaysian Grand Prix. The championship returns to the circuit outside Kuala Lumpur this weekend for the first time in nine years, although the 2026 event will officially be recognised as the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen returns to the scene of his second F1 victory
Max Verstappen features prominently on Sepang’s list of Formula 1 winners, having won the most recent Grand Prix held at the circuit in 2017. That victory was only the second of his Formula 1 career.
Much has changed since then, but Max Verstappen’s desire to win remains intact. The Dutchman has not yet won a Grand Prix during the 2026 season, although his recent second place in Azerbaijan represented another positive result for Red Bull.
“It was a very good result and a very solid race for the team in Baku,” Max Verstappen explained. “We had good pace and made a lot of progress, so hopefully we can keep this positive trend going this week as well.”
“Malaysia is an exciting track to drive and it’s nice to go back there and see it on the calendar again. Of course, the last time we raced here was in 2017, when I won my second Grand Prix, so there are a lot of good memories and now we will be able to see how this generation of cars performs at this circuit.”
Sepang combines long, fast straights with slow hairpins and has traditionally added another variable through its changeable weather conditions, something Max Verstappen expects to contribute to the challenge.
“The circuit is quite challenging but enjoyable to drive, with a mix of high-speed straights and tight hairpins; the weather also looks quite unpredictable, so it will be interesting to see what the week has in store for us.”
Max Verstappen’s position in the wider 2026 campaign can be followed through the current Formula 1 driver standings, with Red Bull now looking to convert its improving form into an even stronger result at Sepang.
Isack Hadjar faces his first Formula 1 weekend at Sepang
Red Bull also completed the podium in Baku with Isack Hadjar, who finished third on his return from a wrist injury after missing three races. Unlike Max Verstappen, however, the Frenchman has never previously driven at Sepang and will be one of the drivers discovering the circuit for the first time.
“Baku was a really positive weekend for us,” Isack Hadjar said. “It was fantastic to be back in the car after missing three races and to take my second podium with the team; also, getting both cars onto the podium represented a huge step forward for everyone.”
For Isack Hadjar, the Malaysian weekend will therefore be as much about learning the circuit as extracting the maximum performance from the Red Bull from the beginning of practice.
“Sepang looks like a really interesting circuit, but it’s the first time I’ll race there, so the objective is to build up gradually over the weekend, taking it step by step like we did in Baku.”
“The upgrades worked well there – which is positive – but Sepang has different characteristics, so we will have to assess what our level of competitiveness will be.”
The different circuit demands mean Baku’s strong Red Bull result does not automatically establish the competitive order for this weekend. Max Verstappen brings previous experience and winning memories, while Isack Hadjar begins from a completely different position as one of Sepang’s newcomers.
Fans preparing for the unusual Malaysian round can find the full 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang schedule and circuit guide, including the weekend session times and key information about Formula 1’s return to the venue.
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