Might Malaysia be making a shock return this season?

The Malaysia circuit in Sepang could be making a shock return to F1 this season, due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Feature image credit: CC

Sepang is rumoured to be a top-line replacement for the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races later in the year. The FIA are currently looking to place a race between rounds 15 and 16 in Azerbaijan and Singapore.

After the war between Iran and the United States caused F1 to cancel the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix earlier this year, rescheduling the events has proven difficult.

Bahrain has looked the most likely to return to the calendar since the war started. However, a proposal to put the race on October 4th has been scrapped due to a failed ceasefire in the region.

The war could also threaten racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi towards the season finale. The FIA and F1 bosses have repeatedly pushed forward their aims to keep the number of races as imposed at the beginning of the season.

The History of Sepang

Malaysia, which was last on the Formula One calendar in 2017, was a fan favourite before it disappeared from the sport entirely.

Many iconic moments have taken place around the 5.5km track. This includes Lewis Hamilton’s season-crushing DNF in 2016, and Red Bull’s messy Multi-21 radio involving Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

Sepang was also made famous for its havoc-provoking weather. Its race in 2009 was one of the wettest on record. The race was stopped after just 31 laps and half-points were awarded. It was only the 5th time in F1’s history that a race had been stopped midway through due to bad weather.

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The track

The track provides an excellent blend of medium and high-speed corners. Perhaps the most famous part of the track, however, is the consecutive long straights, separated by a famous hairpin at turn 15.

The grandstand that overlooks both straights is also iconic, as it could hold roughly 32,000 people each race. The track would certainly provide a thorough test for a modern Formula One car.

However, two long straights close to each other may prove difficult for the current battery deployment strategies that teams and drivers must face.

A modern challenge?

The Malaysian federal government had been asked about the potential return of the circuit during last year’s campaign.

Race organisers had cited high fees and a congested international race calendar as primary deterrents to such proposal. The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) had been on record, stating an openness to funding so that the race may return one day.

That day may now be sooner than expected.

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Sam Wye

Sam Wye