When Sepang was announced as the location for this year’s relocated Bahrain Grand Prix, Formula 1 fans were extremely excited to see the track return to the calendar for a one-off after nearly a decade away. With heavy anticipation for the first race weekend in Malaysia since 2017, the race definitely did not disappoint.
In a relatively easy race for the drivers in Baku the weekend prior, a race that saw very little tire degradation, most drivers needed only one pit stop. But with bad weather on the cards for Sepang and uncertain tire degradation, teams gambled on their strategies, which is exactly what fans wanted to see.
Throughout the race, drivers had to take care of their tires and spontaneously modify race strategies. There was a wide range in the number of pit stops, with Lewis Hamilton taking only two and Sergio Perez needing seven. The excitement from the weekend produced exactly what everyone wants to see from a Formula 1 race.
How will this impact the F1 calendar?
The 2027 schedule is set to see a sizable change in races included, with Portugal and Turkey both set to make long-awaited returns. Malaysia’s one-off Grand Prix was a massive success, which only gives reason for F1 and more organizers to take the necessary steps to get certain venues back on the calendar.
Given how enjoyable the weekend was for fans, coupled with what an incredible race it was, Malaysia’s prime minister has confirmed that talks will be held with F1 to discuss a permanent return to the calendar for Sepang to once again host the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Former Grand Prix host tracks such as Mugello, Nürburgring, Hockenheim, and Kyalami could all be potential suitors for permanent returns to the F1 calendar in future seasons. A race with plenty of action and variable tire degradation is a recipe for success and will always be more eventful than those in which drivers only have to make one or two stops with low degradation.
Looking forward to the future, this past weekend in Sepang may have paved the way for circuits currently not on the calendar to finally return. The upside is visible to the whole world, and now it must come down to the finer details.
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