Antonelli bids to erase Baku blip as Piastri admits McLaren woes on Sepang return

BBC Chequered Flag looks ahead to F1's Sepang return

With Formula 1 back at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast brought together presenter Harry Benjamin, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to preview the weekend of 2-4 October.

Antonelli's Baku blip and Russell's title fight

The panel debated whether championship leader Kimi Antonelli can bounce back from his Baku blip, and whether Mercedes team-mate George Russell remains firmly in the title hunt.

Piastri on McLaren's struggles under the new rules

Benjamin also spoke with Oscar Piastri about a difficult season at McLaren. The Australian conceded that the new regulations have forced him to alter his driving style in 2026, contributing to his struggles this campaign.

Why Sepang, and why drivers love it

The team also explained why the race is being staged at Sepang and why the Hermann Tilke-designed circuit, which first joined the calendar in 1999, remains a favourite among drivers. Sepang was confirmed on 27 September 2026 to host the Bahrain Grand Prix from 2-4 October as Malaysia returned to the Formula 1 schedule.