What happened: The event sits in the middle of the current triple-header. Sepang hosted every season from 1999 to 2017 before funding ended the Malaysian Grand Prix. Bahrain lost its home race earlier this year amid Middle East conflict.
Why it matters: George Russell cut Kimi Antonelli's championship lead from 81 to 66 points with his Baku pole-to-win, his third victory of 2026. Sepang pairs medium-to-high-speed corners with two long straights that will stress battery deployment under the 2026 rules.
By the numbers: Antonelli leads Russell by 66 points with seven rounds scheduled. Baku top five: Russell, Verstappen, Hadjar, Leclerc, Antonelli; Sepang run: 1999-2017.
What to watch: Practice and qualifying set the grid before Sunday's round 16 start. The result shapes momentum for the closing leg of the triple-header.