Sepang 2026 Preview: Every Team Predicted — Can Max Win on His Birthday?

F1 heads to Sepang for the first time since 2017, with the Bahrain Grand Prix moved to Malaysia. Max Verstappen turns 29 this week, and the last time he raced here he won the day after his 20th birthday. Can Sepang deliver again? In this preview I break down the circuit, the heat and rain forecast, and every team from the backmarkers to the front, with my full prediction for the race and who I think is most likely to DNF. My tip: a Mercedes 1-2 with Kimi Antonelli ahead of George Russell, and Oscar Piastri on the podium. Do you agree? Drop your top 3 in the comments 👇 ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro: F1 moves to Sepang 0:54 The circuit and conditions 1:29 The backmarkers: Aston Martin, Cadillac, Audi 2:30 Midfield: Baku review 3:22 Midfield: Sepang predictions 4:18 McLaren and Ferrari 5:44 The front runners: Mercedes and Red Bull 8:34 My verdict and full prediction 10:07 Outro 🏁 MY SEPANG PREDICTION P1 Antonelli | P2 Russell | P3 Piastri | P4 Verstappen | P5 Hadjar | P6 Hamilton | P7 Leclerc | P8 Norris The rest: Alpine, Haas, Racing Bulls, Williams, Audi, then Aston Martin vs Cadillac DNF watch: Stroll, Perez, Bottas, Alonso 🛒 F1 MERCH I RECOMMEND Max Verstappen cap: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GR237BY... Red Bull Racing T-shirt: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GF4GG6H... Mercedes-AMG Petronas cap (George Russell): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F5BF9Z9... Mercedes-AMG Petronas men's teamwear: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DB5XP55... As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps support the channel. 🔔 Subscribe for the fastest F1 news all race weekend: Shorts during the weekend, a full reaction after the race, and a deep dive every week. #F1 #SepangGP #Formula1