Which Current F1 Drivers Competed in the Final Malaysia Grand Prix

Formula 1 returns to Sepang on 2–4 October 2026, creating a triple header with Azerbaijan and Singapore after nine years away from Malaysia.

The comeback restores a south-east Asian staple, adding logistical and strategic complexity as teams manage freight across consecutive long-haul events, as outlined in the initial announcement.

Sepang last hosted in 2017, when Max Verstappen won for Red Bull from Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel surged from the back before a cooldown-lap tangle with Lance Stroll.

The circuit’s blend of long straights and varied corner speeds places a premium on aero efficiency, traction, and cooling, especially in Malaysia’s heat and humidity.

Those demands intersect with 2026 regulations, which reshape chassis proportions and power deployment, increasing electrical reliance and shifting energy management priorities through race stints.

Teams preparing upgrade pathways for 2026 will weigh drag reduction against stability in Sepang’s fast sweeps and braking zones, where tyre temperatures can spike quickly.

Malaysia’s slot alongside Baku and Singapore consolidates the autumn schedule, aligning with the evolving 2026 calendar detailed in race-weekend guidance.

Experience may matter. Ten drivers on today’s grid raced at Sepang in 2017, including Verstappen, Hamilton, Bottas, Perez, Stroll, Ocon, Alonso, Gasly, Hülkenberg, and Sainz.

Charles Leclerc also logged FP1 mileage for Sauber, setting a representative time and eclipsing a race regular, while Pierre Gasly debuted, qualifying 15th and finishing 14th.

That continuity offers useful references on tyres, lines, and racecraft, though 2026 cars will behave differently under revised power delivery and aero maps.

Reliability and cooling packages could define the outcome. Sepang’s stop‑start final sector and long straights tax hybrid systems and demand robust brake and ERS management.

Rosters may also evolve before October 2026, with ongoing seat decisions, such as those around Racing Bulls, shaping the competitive picture.

Some teams face tight development timelines for the 2026 launch, a theme underscored by recent readiness concerns that could influence early-spec performance at Sepang.

As Formula 1 returns, the Malaysia weekend promises a fresh baseline for the 2026 era, yet remains tethered to a memorable 2017 finale.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.