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Half of F1 Grid Faces Unknown as Sepang Returns After Nine-Year Absence

Formula One returns to Sepang International Circuit this weekend for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia after Liberty Media relocated the race from Sakhir due to the Iran war and Middle East situation.
After a nine-year hiatus, the sport returns to the Malaysian venue that last hosted a race in 2017, when the Malaysian government ended hosting duties citing declining returns.
Pirelli warned teams the surface remains "relatively abrasive" with roughness comparable to Bahrain; the 5.543-km circuit features long straights and high-speed corners over 56 laps.
Only 10 of the 22 drivers have previously raced in Malaysia, leaving Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri among those learning the track for the first time.
Heat and humidity make tyre management crucial while creating physical demands, and the ever-present threat of sudden rainfall could disrupt race strategies for teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

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