{
  "id": 11178745,
  "title": "Verstappen relishes Sepang return nine years after memorable F1 win",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/verstappen-relishes-sepang-return-nine-years-after-memorable-f1-win",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T11:36:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/10/01/verstappen-relishes-sepang-return-nine-years-after-memorable-f1-win/237302"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sepang, October 1 — After nine years since his memorable Formula One victory at the Sepang International Circuit, Red Bull's Max Verstappen is set to make a return to the venue for the upcoming Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. The Dutch driver, who clinched his second career win at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix, admitted that the time away has made the track and associated surroundings unfamiliar. Verstappen told a press conference, \"I walked into the paddock, and I had no idea where I had to go, so it’s been a long time.\"\n\nDespite the unfamiliarity, Verstappen expressed his enjoyment of racing at Sepang, stating that the challenging nature of the circuit always made it a favorite for him. He explained, \"I always enjoyed racing here because I think I really liked the track layout. It was not very straightforward because there was always high degradation, hot in general, so quite uncomfortable in a way, of course, to drive, physically.\"\n\nThe last driver to win an F1 race at Sepang was Verstappen himself, in 2017. His commanding drive for Red Bull Racing saw him complete the 5.543-kilometre circuit in 1:30:01.290, with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton finishing second and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull taking the third position.",
  "summary": "SEPANG, Oct 1 — Nine years after winning at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), Red Bull driver Max Verstappen...",
  "key_points": [
    "Max Verstappen returns to Sepang after nine years.",
    "Dutch driver admits track and surroundings are unfamiliar.",
    "Verstappen enjoys challenging nature of Sepang circuit."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "Sport : F1 Gulf Air Bahrain GP: PM Anwar Joins Pit Lane Walk, Inspects Final Preparations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/sport-f1-gulf-air-bahrain-gp-pm-anwar-joins-pit-lane-walk-inspects",
        "published": "2026-10-01T08:44:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Anwar joins pit lane walk ahead of Sepang F1 return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/anwar-joins-pit-lane-walk-ahead-of-sepang-f1-return",
        "published": "2026-10-01T10:22:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}