Montoya: Sepang Return Will Favor Verstappen and Antonelli

Formula 1's return to Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit this October will offer a stern test of courage and car control, according to former driver Juan Pablo Montoya. The Colombian believes the venue, which is hosting the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix after the Sakhir event was cancelled due to regional conflict, will be a perfect battleground for drivers who thrive on aggressive, high-risk racing. With current championship leader Kimi Antonelli and four-time champion Max Verstappen both in the title hunt, Montoya sees the Malaysian round as a potential turning point.

Why it matters:

• Sepang hasn't hosted an F1 race since 2017, making this return a significant moment for the calendar and a fresh challenge for a new generation of machinery and drivers.
• The track's layout rewards brave, committed driving through long, high-speed corners that are "just about flat," offering a rare chance for natural racers to make a genuine difference.
• Sandwiched between Azerbaijan and Singapore, the Malaysian round anchors a punishing triple-header that will strain teams and drivers physically and strategically during a critical phase of the championship fight.

The details:

• The Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled in April amid ongoing Middle East conflict and has been rescheduled for Sepang on October 2-4, forming a demanding triple-header alongside Azerbaijan and Singapore.
• Montoya, speaking on F1 TV, called Sepang his favorite Formula 1 track and emphasized the bravery required to master it, noting he often pushed too far in pursuit of flat-out corners.
• Verstappen won the last race held at the circuit in 2017 and is expected to excel at a venue that demands hustling the car to its absolute limit.
• Antonelli, currently leading the championship, was also tipped by Montoya to thrive in the hot, physically draining conditions that define racing in Malaysia.
• Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe praised the calendar adjustment as a "brilliant collaboration" to preserve the season's race count.

Looking Ahead:

With extreme heat and back-to-back races looming, the Sepang weekend will be as much an endurance test as a technical challenge.

• The compact schedule leaves almost no time for recovery or major car changes between Baku, Sepang, and Singapore, meaning any reliability issues or crashes could cascade through the entire swing.
• If Montoya's prediction holds true, the high-speed, high-risk nature of the Malaysian circuit could offer Verstappen a crucial chance to claw back points, or allow Antonelli to extend his lead by proving equally adept at hustling the car through Sepang's unforgiving corners.