Five Things We Learned from the Malaysian GP

Sepang is back – and immediately delivered a strategically dominated race with strong individual performances, heated duels and the first trends for the 2026 season. Here are the five most important insights from the race in Malaysia.

Schubert’s Tactical Masterclass

The race weekend in Malaysia got off to a less than ideal start for the reigning champion. After finishing fifth in qualifying, Sven Schubert had what he himself described in an interview as ‘the worst start of my career’ and fell back to eleventh place in the first corner.

What followed was an impressive comeback, including a thrilling duel with Mirco Mancini. The decisive moment of the race came on lap 11: Schubert was the first of the top five to pit – and benefited from a perfectly executed undercut. After the pit stop cycle, he led the field. The Optiminal driver then confidently controlled the race from the front. Only in the last three laps did he come under pressure – from his teammate Heiko Kolvenbach, of all people, who was probably the faster of the two but had previously lost too much time behind Fabian Szyrzik and Tom Oldenmenger. Which ultimately prevented a serious late challenge.

The Tyre Whisperer Is Back

Sander van Leeuwen had already earned himself a reputation as the ‘tyre whisperer’ last season.

The Dutchman, who missed the season opener in Melbourne, put in a flawless performance in Sepang.

Starting from 13th on the grid, he steadily worked his way up the field and finished sixth as the ‘best of the rest’. His tyre management was particularly impressive – exactly what Sepang demands.

With an eye on the next race in Qatar, a track that is likely to be the most demanding on tyres, van Leeuwen is already considered one of the dark horses. His big chance could come sooner than many think.

Dicks vs. Dittmer – a polarising duel

Jörn Dicks and Christian Dittmer – two personalities who could hardly be more different – provided one of the most entertaining duels of the day in the final third of the race, where it became clear that this was not just about positions, but about pride.

Over several laps, both fought at the limit – and sometimes even beyond. The duel ended heatedly not only on the track, but also off it. After the race, Dicks vented his anger. He openly and clearly criticised Dittmer's defensive tactics. The Bavarian himself remained calm and let the accusations bounce off him.

One thing is certain: this was not the last chapter in this duel.

Another Pointless Weekend for Simspark

Simspark Racing was one of the most ambitious teams before the start of the season. Team boss James Hayter and driver Alvin Tran set clear goals: podium places were the target.

However, after two races, the sobering result is zero points.

Christian Dittmer had warned in advance that it could be a difficult season – Hayter and Tran saw things differently. Now the team needs to react quickly: more pace, clearer structures and more efficient processes are required. Rumours are already circulating in the paddock that the English team is not necessarily considered the most professional.

The pressure is mounting – and a turnaround must come quickly.

Successful comeback

After five years, Sepang returned to the VFC calendar for the first time – and made an immediate impression. And that was without the famous Malaysian torrential downpours.

The race was heavily influenced by strategy. At several points, all four tyre compounds were on the track at the same time – proof of the strategic diversity of the VFC 2026.

It remains to be seen whether this tactical spectrum will also prove itself at the debut in Qatar.

Malaysia, we'd love to come back! 🇲🇾🏁