Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli at centre of Montoya Malaysia prediction

The Sepang Circuit in Malaysia will host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, marking F1's return to the venue for the first time since 2017. This change is due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and it has led to a unique race weekend setup. Juan Pablo Montoya has predicted that championship leader Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen will perform exceptionally well at this popular track, which he regards as his favorite. Antonelli currently holds a significant lead in the Drivers' Championship, while Verstappen is the last winner at Sepang from 2017.

The race weekend at Sepang will be part of a triple-header, following races in Baku and Singapore, resulting in a busy schedule of six races over seven weekends. Montoya highlighted the importance of bravery for drivers to succeed at Sepang, indicating that both Verstappen and Antonelli possess the skills needed to navigate its challenges effectively. This strategic adjustment by F1 aims to ensure a full championship despite the circumstances affecting the original race location.