Kuala Lampur:Former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong predicts that Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 will be the team to beat at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which Malaysia will host at the Sepang International Circuit from October 2-4, 2026.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Yoong, who drove for Minardi from 2001 to 2002, noted that Mercedes' recent upgrades have provided the team with a competitive advantage. However, he refrained from choosing between Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as the favorite for the upcoming race.

Mercedes, based in Brackley, UK, had previously introduced an updated front wing and other components at the Canadian GP in May to enhance their car's performance. The team plans to bring further upgrades to the Bahrain GP in Malaysia to bolster its performance this season.

The team has had a strong start to the 2026 season, securing 11 GP victories and leading the constructors' standings with 538 points. Ferrari follows in second place with 378 points, and McLaren is third with 306 points. In the drivers' standings, Antonelli leads with 302 points, ahead of Russell with 236 points.

Yoong also identified Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver and four-time world champion, as a major contender, describing him as a "dark horse" for the race. Verstappen was the last driver to win at Sepang during the final Malaysian GP in 2017.

The return of F1 to Malaysia after a nine-year hiatus is expected to deliver an exciting and unpredictable race, with potential rain, high tire wear, and limited recent driver experience at Sepang adding to the uncertainty. Only 10 drivers from the 2017 Malaysian GP, including Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, remain in the 2026 grid.

In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the Gulf Air Bahrain GP following an agreement with the FIA and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain. This ensures that the Bahrain GP remains on the 2026 calendar after earlier cancellations due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian GP at Sepang from 1999 to 2017.