Preview: An exciting challenge awaits Alex in Malaysia

Hear what Alex has to say as he heads to Sepang for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Published

01 OCT 2026

Est. reading time

3 min

The Formula 1 season heads to Malaysia this weekend for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Round 16 taking place at the Sepang International Circuit, thousands of miles from the race’s usual home.

With Bahrain unable to host the event as originally planned, Sepang has stepped in to host the race, bringing Formula 1 back to Malaysia for the first time since 2017.

It’s a unique weekend for Alex too, as he prepares to take on a circuit he hasn’t driven on since 2016. Find out what Alex can expect from the return to Sepang!

His thoughts:

“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.”

The track:

The Sepang International Circuit is a fast and flowing 5.543km circuit featuring 15 corners and a combination of long straights, heavy braking zones and high speed corners.

Sepang is also known for its hot and humid conditions, with tropical downpours capable of changing the conditions in an instant.

Although this is the Bahrain Grand Prix, the event isn't the first time Formula 1 has held a Grand Prix under one country's name at a circuit in another. The Nürburgring hosted the Luxembourg Grand Prix for 2 races 1997 and 1998 despite being located in Germany.

Winning memories:

This weekend will be another fresh experience for Alex, who has never raced at Sepang in Formula 1 machinery.

The circuit last appeared on the F1 calendar in 2017, two years before Alex made his Formula 1 debut.

However, Alex is no stranger to Sepang – he took victory here by over six seconds in the first ever GP3 race to be held at the venue back in 2016, exactly a decade ago this weekend.

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The weather:

Sepang's tropical climate could add another variable to the weekend, with sunshine, showers and high temperatures expected across the three days.

With rain playing a major role in several of Sepang's memorable F1 races, including the 2009 and 2012 events, the weather could once again have a say in the weekend.

Don’t forget to claim Alex’s latest Fan Passport stamp, with a new Albono arriving in time for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. You can add this week’s stamp to your collection via the link below.

Enjoy the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia!

The 2026 Bahrain Albono is ready to collect!