Alex and Carlos ready for Malaysia’s return
We head to Sepang for Round 16 as Formula 1 prepares for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Published
01 OCT 2026
Est. reading time
2 min
Formula 1 set for the middle race of an intense triple header, with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia seeing the sport return to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017.
Known for its flowing corners, long straights and unpredictable weather, Sepang presents a unique challenge for the teams and drivers. For Atlassian Williams F1 Team, it’s another opportunity to build on the progress made with the updated FW48 package and continue learning as the season enters its next phase.
Alex Albon is looking forward to his first Formula 1 visit to Malaysia, with the country’s proximity to home adding to the appeal of the weekend.
“This week is my first time in Malaysia in Formula 1, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's a part of the world that feels close to home, so I'm expecting a great atmosphere from the fans. Sepang has a flowing first sector, big braking zones and a couple of long straights, so it should be a lot of fun to get stuck into. The weather can be unpredictable, and if it mixes things up, that could open the door to some opportunities. Baku was frustrating, but we made a step forward with the car, and I'm keen to keep learning about the update and see what we can do with it.”
Carlos Sainz is also relishing the return to Sepang, where the team will look to keep making progress with its upgraded package.
“I'm looking forward to racing in Malaysia again after almost a decade away! Sepang has a bit of everything with some long, high-speed corners and direction changes plus a low-speed hairpin at turn 15, so it will be a good test to keep learning from this upgraded car. Coming off the back of Baku, the focus is to stay in the mix with the midfield and to continue fine tuning this package. We’ve got work to do, but we are here for the challenge.”
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