Everything that has changed in F1 since we last raced in Sepang
Formula 1 is finally returning to Malaysia, although perhaps not in the way anyone expected. In case you missed it, due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will now be held in Sepang, marking Formula 1’s first race in Malaysia since 2017.
It’s been almost a decade since F1 last visited Sepang, and the sport has changed dramatically in that time. Here’s what Malaysian fans can expect.
New engines, same V6
While Formula 1 still uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine that first debuted in 2014, the 2026 regulations introduce an all-new hybrid power unit. The complex MGU-H system has been dropped, while the MGU-K is now over three times more powerful, making electric power account for nearly half of the car’s total output. The new engines also run on 100% sustainable fuel, while drivers can use an electrical boost for extra speed down the straights.
Only half the grid remains
Only ten drivers who raced at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix are still on the Formula 1 grid today: Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz.
That means more than half of today’s grid consists of drivers who have never raced in Formula 1 at Sepang, with the likes of George Russell, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and others having never raced at Sepang before. Kimi Antonelli was in fact just 11 years old at the time, and was still in karting too. Charles Leclerc at least did do some free practice at the 2017 Malaysia Grand Prix weekend, which was eventually won by Max Verstappen.
Bigger wheels
The iconic 13-inch wheels from 2017 have been long gone, as since 2022, Formula 1 cars switched to 18-inch wheels with lower-profile tyres, giving engineers more predictable handling while bringing the technology closer to modern road cars.
Smaller cars
After years of getting bigger, Formula 1 cars finally shrunk back a little bit in 2026. The new regulations saw the current generation F1 car down to approximately 1.9m in width, with a wheelbase of roughly 3.4m. In contrast, in 2017 the longest car on the grid was the Mercedes, with a wheelbase 3.76m long with an overall width of up to 2m wide.
You can’t throw money at the problem anymore
Since 2021, Formula 1 teams have operated under a cost cap, limiting how much they can spend each season. The rule has helped close the competitive gap between teams and changed how development is managed.
It was set at USD145 million in 2021, reduced to USD140 in 2022 and USD135 million in 2023, before actually going up to USD215 million in 2026, taking into account inflation and other several costs that weren’t covered by the cost cap before this.
The teams have changed too
Some iconic teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and Williams remain, but several teams have been rebranded.
Renault is now Alpine, while Force India was actually put into administration in 2018, before eventually becoming Racing Point and then Aston Martin. Toro Rosso meanwhile went through a couple of name changes before settling on Racing Bulls.
Sauber also underwent a big transformation, becoming Alfa Romeo in 2018 and then Kick Sauber in 2024, but is now a full factory Audi works team. Oh, and we can’t forget that there’s now a brand new team in F1 too, with Cadillac joining the grid in 2026.
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