Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Race Preview

The Bahrain Grand Prix first joined Formula 1’s calendar in 2004, as the first host location in the Gulf, and this season it was due to hold the fourth round of the campaign at perennial home Sakhir International Circuit. But the event was unable to take place due to the conflict in the wider region, and it was not possible to reschedule the grand prix at Sakhir. However, an agreement was reached whereby this year’s event will instead be temporarily relocated to the Sepang International Circuit, under the one-off name of Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The rearranged event slots in between grands prix in Azerbaijan and Singapore, forming the first triple-header of the year.

The permanent Sepang International Circuit was purpose-built and first hosted Formula 1 in 1999, remaining on the calendar for 18 editions through the 2017 campaign. The circuit, located close to Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, features two long straights, punctuated by a hairpin, and several medium- to high-speed flowing sections. The wide nature of the track facilitates side-by-side racing, while Sepang’s high-energy nature means tire degradation has historically been on the higher side, promoting different strategic options. Sepang’s hot and humid climate also raises the chances of afternoon thunderstorms bubbling up, so teams and drivers have to be aware of the risk of heavy rainfall sweeping through the venue.

LAST TIME OUT

Ollie Bearman has never before raced at Sepang but Esteban Ocon contested grands prix there in 2016 and 2017, during the nascent years of his Formula 1 career, taking a top 10 result during the previous grand prix at Sepang in 2017. TGR Haas F1 Team arrives at Sepang off the back of its first double points finish of the year last time out in Azerbaijan.

Hoagy Nidd, Head of Car Engineering:

“It’s our first visit to Sepang since 2017. It’s an interesting circuit with a good spread of corners; a couple of real high-speed corners in Turns 5 and 6, and 12 and 13. There’s also a handful of low-speed corners, so it’s a lot to navigate over one lap. It can be dominated by very high track temperatures, some of the highest we see all year, and some pretty high ambient temperatures, which can make for some challenges, particularly brake temps that will need to be managed early in the race. Another big factor in Malaysia can be the weather; it tends to rain pretty hard late in the afternoon most days, around the time of qualifying, so that could be challenging and keep us on our toes. It also makes for a pretty sweaty track run!”

Ollie Bearman:

“I’ve never raced at the Sepang International Circuit, and had never been to Malaysia either, so I immediately got on a plane after the race on Saturday – immensely happy with the result in Baku – to have time to experience what the country has to offer, and it’s a beautiful place. Sepang is a flowing, high-speed track where it’s all about getting into a rhythm and letting the car flow from one section to another. I believe the weather is much like Singapore with humidity and sudden downpours, so what better way to prepare for one of the most physically challenging races of the season, than with another week of intense heat!”

Esteban Ocon:

“It's great to come out of Baku with double points for the team, it was a great result for everyone. The aim will be to keep the momentum going this weekend and of course, for the rest of the season. It’s also nice to be back racing at Sepang International Circuit, a classic track of our sport, that's often delivered some great action. We know it will be a hot one, but generally the weather in Malaysia can be unpredictable, so this could create an exciting opportunity for us. I’m one of 10 drivers on the current grid who last raced around Sepang in 2017, so it will be interesting to drive there again, almost 10 years later, especially with this new regulation of car. I was in the points back then, so we'll try to repeat that this weekend.”