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Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes the championship's upcoming return to Malaysia will benefit four-time champion Max Verstappen and current standings leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Formula 1 recently confirmed that the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was canceled in April due to the conflict in the Middle East, will now take place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia from October 2-4. During a discussion about the calendar change on F1 TV's post-race show after Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, Montoya revealed that the track is one of his favorites.
"It's incredible. I've raced there, and it's amazing. Honestly, it's my favorite Formula 1 track. If you ask me my favorite circuit, that's it. You have to be incredibly brave to be fast there," the Colombian stated. "Not because the high-speed corners aren't flat out, but because they're almost flat out if you think you're brave enough or foolish enough to try. Many times I made it through, but many times I also went off track there," he added.
Montoya believes the circuit will perfectly suit Verstappen, who won the last Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017, as well as Antonelli.
"It's one of those tracks where you really have to 'squeeze' the car. I think it's an incredible track for a driver like Max, who loves to extract the maximum from the car. I believe Antonelli will also do well there. So, it will be very cool to watch. It will also be very hot," Montoya explained.
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