Sepang rewind: Three memorable moments from the Malaysian Grand Prix
02 October 2026Formula 1 may only be returning to Sepang International Circuit as a one-off, but the Malaysian Grand Prix left behind plenty of memorable moments during its time on the calendar.
From a dramatic engine failure that changed the championship picture to a team-mate rivalry boiling over and an unexpected fight for victory, here are three of the most memorable moments from the Malaysian Grand Prix.
1. 2016: Hamilton’s engine gives out
The 2016 season had already produced an intense title battle between Mercedes team-mates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, and by the time the championship reached Sepang, just eight points separated the pair.
Hamilton looked determined to close that gap from the outset, taking pole position and establishing an early advantage at the front of the field. Rosberg, meanwhile, endured a chaotic opening lap after Turn 1 contact with Sebastian Vettel sent him tumbling down the order.
From there, Hamilton appeared to have the race firmly under control. But with the Mercedes driver heading towards what looked like a comfortable victory, disaster struck.
Smoke and flames suddenly erupted from the back of Hamilton’s car, forcing him to retire with an engine failure at the start of Lap 41. The British driver could only watch from the sidelines as his championship rival recovered from that first-lap setback to finish third.
Daniel Ricciardo ultimately took the chequered flag for Red Bull, but Hamilton’s retirement was arguably the biggest talking point of the race, giving Rosberg a significant boost in the title battle heading into the final five rounds.
2. 2013: Red Bull’s ‘Multi 21’ fallout
Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber had already come to blows several times during their tenure as Red Bull team-mates, but the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix pushed tensions between the pair to boiling point.
After a wet start to the race and an early dry tyre gamble for Vettel, Webber found himself leading with the Red Bulls running comfortably at the head of the field. The team then instructed its drivers to maintain their positions – using the now infamous phrase ‘Multi 21’ – rather than duking it out for the win.
But on that day in Malaysia, as the reigning world champion, fresh off the back of his third title in as many years, Vettel was not prepared to settle for second.
He launched an attack on Webber down the main straight and muscled his way past, despite repeated reminders from Red Bull to hold station. Once ahead, Vettel continued to fend off his team-mate and eventually crossed the line to take victory.
Webber made his frustration clear in the cooldown room immediately after the race, and the phrase ‘Multi 21’ would become permanently associated with one of the most infamous team-mate disputes in modern F1 history.
3. 2012: Perez gives Alonso a scare
The 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix produced an unlikely battle for victory, with Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez emerging as the leading names in a race turned upside down by heavy rain.
Neither driver had started particularly high up the grid, with Alonso beginning eighth and Perez just behind in ninth. A downpour early in the race forced the field to navigate treacherous conditions, creating opportunities for those who could ace their strategy.
Alonso took advantage, moving into the lead as the circuit dried and the teams began switching to slick tyres, while Perez soon emerged as his closest challenger and began to close the gap to the Ferrari.
The Sauber driver remained in contention, even after losing some ground during another change of tyres, setting up a thrilling battle in the closing stages. Just as Perez appeared capable of mounting a serious challenge for victory, a mistake on a damp section of track cost him precious time.
Alonso was able to hold on and claim the win, while Perez came home second for a result that would establish him as a rising star of the sport.
