Antonelli Sees Sepang as Ideal Test for 2026 Wet Race Conditions
Kimi Antonelli believes Sepang's rough surface could be perfect for testing 2026 F1 cars in the rain, as teams prepare for a wet race in Malaysia.
POLICY WIRE — Sepang, Malaysia — Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has highlighted the unique characteristics of the Sepang International Circuit as a potential ideal setting for Formula One’s first wet race of the 2026 season.
The Italian driver, who has enjoyed mostly dry conditions during his title campaign, noted that the circuit’s abrasive tarmac could offer a beneficial challenge if heavy rain disrupts the event. He described the track as having the roughest tarmac he has encountered, with water dispersing quickly due to its uneven surface.
“The surface is so open, there is actually not a lot of standing water unless it pours down,” Antonelli said. If it rains normally, it would probably be the best track to try these cars for the first time in the rain because the water just doesn’t sit on top of the surface. Tyre supplier Pirelli has warned teams about the extreme conditions, comparing the track’s texture to that of Bahrain.
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Meanwhile, Antonelli’s teammate and championship rival George Russell expressed concerns about the circuit’s heat-generating properties. He warned that high temperatures could lead to significant tyre degradation, making it more difficult to overtake or maintain pace during races. Surface overheating is going to be a huge thing here, Russell said, contrasting Sepang with other circuits where temperatures are more manageable.
With the Bahrain Grand Prix moved to Sepang for the first time since 2017 due to Middle East tensions, no team has recent data on how current cars perform at the track. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri called the surface like sandpaper, adding that the frequent afternoon rains could wash away any previous track preparation, making the weekend particularly challenging for all drivers.
Antonelli is looking to recover from his “worst weekend” of the season in Baku, where he qualified 16th after a crash but managed to finish fifth. I felt a bit too slow, but I think the learning was that sometimes you have to accept these situations, he said. It was the first time I had to tell myself to take the least amount of risk and just bring it home.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
