Sepang F1 history and records: Ferrari leads wins ahead of 2026 Bahrain GP

Formula 1 is returning to Sepang in 2026, almost a decade after the Malaysian circuit last hosted a Grand Prix. Changes to the 2026 Formula 1 calendar following the war in the Middle East have already resulted in the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, while the Bahrain Grand Prix remains on the schedule but will not be held at Sakhir. Instead, the event will take place at Sepang, where Formula 1 last raced in 2017.

The upcoming 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang will therefore bring Formula 1 back to one of its most recognisable former venues. The previous event was officially the Malaysian Grand Prix, and nearly a decade later it is worth revisiting some of the most significant and unusual results recorded at the circuit between 1999 and 2017.

Ferrari’s early success at Sepang

Designed by German engineer Hermann Tilke, Sepang International Circuit opened in 1999 and is located a short distance from Kuala Lumpur. Alongside Formula 1, the venue has also regularly hosted MotoGP and staged three editions of the Superbike World Championship.

The earliest Formula 1 races at Sepang were particularly successful for Ferrari. Eddie Irvine won the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix in 1999, securing the fourth victory of his career, which would also prove to be his final Formula 1 win.

Ferrari repeated the achievement in 2000, this time with Michael Schumacher. The German driver went on to win his first world championship with Ferrari that same season, while the Sepang weekend also proved particularly important for the Scuderia because it secured the Constructors’ Championship there.

Ferrari remains the most successful constructor at Sepang with seven victories, while previous winners, poles and other historical benchmarks can be explored through the F1 Circuit Records & Statistics.

First victories and breakthrough podiums at Sepang

The 2023 weekend was especially memorable for two drivers. Fernando Alonso reached the podium for the first time after having also secured his maiden Formula 1 pole position, while Kimi Raikkonen beat the Spaniard to claim the first victory of his Formula 1 career.

The following Malaysian Grand Prix in 2004 produced another first-time podium finisher, with Jenson Button reaching the top three. A different milestone followed in 2025, when Nick Heidfeld finished third. Although it was not the German driver’s first Formula 1 podium, the result nevertheless delivered Toyota its first top-three finish in Formula 1. Nick Heidfeld would later claim the final podium of his career at Sepang in 2011.

Ten years ago, Giancarlo Fisichella climbed onto the top step of the podium for the third and final time in his Formula 1 career. The Roman driver’s success was also the final victory for an Italian driver in Formula 1 until Andrea Kimi Antonelli recorded his first wins during the current season.

The 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix also produced a significant milestone for Sergio Perez, who reached a Formula 1 podium for the first time. The final Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017, meanwhile, marked Pierre Gasly’s Formula 1 debut.

Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel hold the key Sepang records

Ahead of Formula 1’s return for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel remains the driver with the most victories at Sepang. Sebastian Vettel won four times at the Malaysian circuit, putting him at the top of the individual standings.

Ferrari leads the constructors’ ranking with seven victories at Sepang, underlining the Scuderia’s historically strong record at the circuit. The characteristics of the venue will now be encountered by a very different generation of Formula 1 machinery, with Pirelli’s Sepang tyre selection and its potential implications for Ferrari’s SF-26 forming part of the build-up to the 2026 weekend.

Ten drivers from the 2017 Sepang race are still on the F1 grid

How many drivers from Formula 1’s last visit to Sepang in 2017 are still competing today? With 22 drivers taking part in the current championship, the number is significant: ten of them were already on the grid nine years ago.

The list begins with Max Verstappen, who won the final Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017. Lewis Hamilton finished directly behind Max Verstappen for Mercedes, during a season in which Lewis Hamilton was aiming to reclaim the world championship after losing his internal battle with Nico Rosberg the previous year.

After achieving the biggest goal of his career, Nico Rosberg unexpectedly retired from competition, leaving his Mercedes seat available for Valtteri Bottas. Valtteri Bottas has returned as a full-time Formula 1 driver this season with newcomer Cadillac.

Intriguingly, Valtteri Bottas is now team-mates with another driver returning to the grid this season, Sergio Perez. Sergio Perez was also racing at Sepang in 2017, when he represented Force India.

Lance Stroll was driving for Williams at the time, while Esteban Ocon was Sergio Perez’s team-mate at Force India. Lance Stroll would later share the Aston Martin garage with Fernando Alonso, who in 2017 was enduring one of the most difficult seasons in McLaren’s history.

The final Malaysian Grand Prix also marked Pierre Gasly’s Formula 1 debut. Pierre Gasly was driving for Toro Rosso alongside Carlos Sainz that year, while Nico Hülkenberg, another of the most experienced drivers currently on the grid, was competing for Renault.