F1 teams prepare for Sepang return with limited data
Teams head to Sepang for the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix with only pre-2018 data available after a nine-year absence. Pirelli selected the C2, C3 and C4 compounds on the basis of that historical record for the October 2-4 event.
Limited historical record shapes preparation
Formula 1 returns to Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017 when the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix takes place on October 2-4. Teams therefore arrive with no recent on-track data from the current generation of cars.[1]
Pirelli selected the C2, C3 and C4 compounds for the weekend, designating them Hard, Medium and Soft. The choice mirrors the compounds used at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix and reflects medium stress levels on the abrasive asphalt that has not been resurfaced since then.[2]
The short notice of the venue change, confirmed in late July, prevented Pirelli from conducting fresh circuit mapping. Compound decisions rested on 2017 results and surface characteristics that remain broadly consistent.[2]
Practice sessions gain added importance
Friday running will provide the first real-world measurements of tyre behaviour on the 2026 cars. Teams expect thermal degradation and track evolution to feature prominently among the variables.
Related reading
https://press.pirelli.com/tyre-compound-selections-for-baku-sepang-and-singapore/ https://www.grandprix.com/news/pirelli-middle-range-sepang-return-2026.html
- [1]Tyre compound selections for Baku, Sepang and Singapore (pirelli). Accessed 2026-09-29.
- [2]Pirelli chooses middle range for F1's Sepang return (grandprix). Accessed 2026-09-29.