Antonelli eyes Sepang as perfect proving ground for 2026 cars in the wet

SEPANG, Malaysia, Oct 1 : 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.

The young Italian, who has enjoyed a charmed run of dry conditions throughout his title charge, reckons the Malaysian circuit's rough tarmac would make it the ideal venue to test the sport's 2026 cars in challenging weather.

Thunderstorms are far from unusual in Malaysia, where the tropical climate regularly produces heavy afternoon showers and lightning storms.

"I think this track will be quite OK in the wet ... The surface is so open, there's actually not a lot of standing water unless it pours down," Antonelli told reporters, adding that it was the "roughest track tarmac" he had ever seen.

"But if it rains normally, then it would probably be the best track to try these cars for the first time in the rain because the tarmac is so open that the water just doesn't sit on top of the surface. It actually goes in between the stones. So it makes less risk of aquaplaning."

Tyre supplier Pirelli has warned teams to brace for punishing conditions, describing Sepang's surface as "relatively abrasive" with roughness comparable to Bahrain.

RUSSELL CONCERNED ABOUT TYRE DEGRADATION

But while Antonelli sees opportunity in adversity, his championship rival and team mate George Russell - who trails by 66 points in second - is concerned about the circuit's heat-generating properties should the rain stay away.

"The big difference on this circuit compared to other so-called 'yo-yo' circuits is the tyre overheating," Russell said, contrasting Sepang with tracks like Melbourne, Silverstone, Monza and Canada where surface temperatures are more