{
  "id": 11176505,
  "title": "Antonelli eyes Sepang as perfect proving ground for 2026 cars in the wet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/antonelli-eyes-sepang-as-perfect-proving-ground-for-2026-cars-in-the-11176505",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T10:50:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/10/1545611/antonelli-eyes-sepang-perfect-proving-ground-2026-cars-wet"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli believes Sepang's abrasive surface could be the perfect testing ground for the sport's 2026 cars in wet conditions. The young Italian notes that the circuit's rough tarmac has minimal standing water during heavy rain, which could reduce the risk of aquaplaning. However, his team mate George Russell is concerned about the track's heat-generating properties, which could make tyre degradation a significant factor if the rain stays away. No team has reference data from the 2026 cars at Sepang, as the circuit hosted its first Formula One race in almost four years following the FIA's move of the Bahrain Grand Prix due to Middle East tensions. McLaren's Oscar Piastri also expects a tough weekend, describing the track as having a surface that resembles \"sandpaper\" and questioning the amount of recent racing or track running at Sepang.",
  "summary": "SEPANG: Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli said Sepang’s notorious abrasive surface could prove a welcome surprise should Formula One finally get its first wet race of the season in Malaysia.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Antonelli eyes Sepang as perfect proving ground for 2026 cars in the wet",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/antonelli-eyes-sepang-as-perfect-proving-ground-for-2026-cars-in-the",
        "published": "2026-10-01T10:43:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}