Kimi Antonelli is focused on reclaiming his momentum this weekend as Formula One visits the Sepang International Circuit for a race officially titled the Bahrain Grand Prix. The event, which takes place in Malaysia, serves as a replacement for the original Bahrain calendar slot that was cancelled earlier this year due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Antonelli, seeking to be Italy’s first champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, was only 11 the last time Formula One was at Sepang.
Currently, the 20-year-old Italian holds a 66-point lead in the drivers’ standings over Mercedes teammate George Russell. That gap narrowed significantly last weekend in Azerbaijan, where Russell secured a commanding victory. Antonelli struggled throughout the Baku event, hampered by a practice-session hydraulics failure that led to a qualifying crash. Starting 16th on the grid, he was outpaced by Russell for the first time in six races, later joking that his driving style in Baku resembled that of his grandmother. According to russell, His “game plan” is to try and prevail in all of the remaining eight race weekends this season.
Determined to regain his edge, Antonelli emphasized his need to re-establish the order at Sepang, noting that while Russell remains his primary rival for the title, he is committed to returning to his usual performance level. The last time the sport visited Malaysia was in 2017, but Antonelli dismissed the relevance of historical data from that era. He noted that the technical landscape has shifted entirely, with current tires, engines, and chassis designs bearing little resemblance to those used during the previous visit to the venue. According to he’s always been my rival,” he, Of Russell’s bid to overhaul him and snatch the title. Engines and chassis are all completely different for everyone,” he said, everything has changed: tyres.
Competition remains intense, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar proving their pace in Azerbaijan. Verstappen, who finished a close second last weekend, is emerging as a significant threat to the Mercedes pair as the season approaches its final stages. Ferrari and McLaren are also expected to challenge at the front, with Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur actively managing internal team morale. Despite rumors linking former Red Bull chief Christian Horner to his position, Vasseur stated that Ferrari remains focused on upgrades and pushing for points until the final corner of the season. Ferrari confirmed they retain full confidence in Vasseur, who previously expressed annoyance at the frequent media inquiries regarding the rumors in Baku. But Ferrari and McLaren will also be major threats at Sepang in what should be a closely fought contest. Who had expressed frustration at being asked about Horner “25 times a day” in Baku, ferrari on Tuesday declared they had “full confidence” in Vasseur.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris addressed his recent conduct toward Alpine driver Franco Colapinto. Following a multi-car collision in Azerbaijan that ended the races of Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, and Norris, the McLaren driver publicly suggested Colapinto should face a ban. Norris has since issued a formal apology, explaining that his comments were fueled by high emotions and were fundamentally inappropriate.
As the paddock moves from the chaotic streets of Baku to the sweeping, high-speed layout of Sepang, teams must contend with the circuit’s notorious tropical weather. The track represents a new challenge for many on the current grid, though veterans like seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton—who shares the record of five poles and one win at the venue—and Fernando Alonso, who eyes a fourth Sepang victory, bring valuable experience to the weekend.
