New To F1? Here’s Your Crash Course On The Teams Racing At Sepang

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The Bahrain GP in Malaysia is kicking off this weekend, and if you don't know which team is which, let us break it down for you

Sepang is a brutal, high-humidity pressure cooker that tests high-speed aero downforce, engine thermal management, tyre management, and sheer driver stamina.

With 11 teams lining up on the grid, figuring out who to support can feel daunting, especially if you're new to the sport.

Let's break down the entire paddock, so you know who deserves your loyalty before the lights go out

1. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS

The home-turf hero. Total dominance during the hybrid era, winning eight consecutive Constructors' titles from 2014 to 2021.

The deep-rooted 'local' team. PETRONAS' fluid technology, including the engine oil and coolants, helps keep the team's power unit running reliably in the heat. George Russell and young phenom Kimi Antonelli also bring plenty of pace, with Antonelli currently leading the Drivers' Championship.

However, they can be overly clinical. When the strategy goes sideways, radio messages sound like a corporate performance review.

Watch their straight-line speed down the Back Straight into Turn 15. If their thermal management holds up in the humidity, they are deadly.

2. Scuderia Ferrari

The emotional rollercoaster. The oldest, most successful, and most decorated team in F1 history with 16 Constructors' titles.

Pure, unadulterated passion. Carrying Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, this is the ultimate superstar driver pairing. The red livery looks magnificent against Sepang's asphalt.

However, the strategy pit wall can give you premature grey hair. You will experience unmatched joy or crippling heartbreak, sometimes within the span of three laps.

Keep an eye out for their pit stop timing under sudden tropical downpours. Ferrari's reaction time when weather flips in three minutes is always top-tier cinema.

3. McLaren

The historic powerhouse that won back-to-back titles in the late '90s and pulled off a massive modern resurgence.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri form one of the fastest, most balanced driver duos on Earth. Their high-speed cornering stability makes them a treat to watch through Turns 5 and 6.

However, their internal rivalry is always interesting to watch. When both drivers are this quick, managing track position without bumping wheels gets real tense, real fast.

Tyre wear through high-load sweeping bends could be a concern. McLaren loves medium-speed corners, but Sepang's tarmac eats rubber for breakfast.

4. Oracle Red Bull Racing

The ruthless pace-setters. Multiple world championships across two distinct eras, driven by aggressive engineering and top-tier aerodynamic design.

Here's why you should keep an eye on the team: Max Verstappen. The guy drives on the limit, constantly. That's what differentiates him from the rest. Joined by fresh, impressive talent like Isack Hadjar, Red Bull's pit stops are lightning-fast.

Drama follows them everywhere. Off-track politics can feel like a full-blown TV soap opera.

The team's aerodynamic grip through the sweeping double-apex at Turn 7 and Turn 8, also known as the Genting Curve.

5. Visa CashApp Racing Bulls (VCARB)

The feisty junior squad. Formerly Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri, built to groom Red Bull's raw talent into race winners.

The team is brimming with unapologetic underdog energy. With aggressive drivers like Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, they treat every battle for P8 like it's a fight for the World Championship.

They do have an inconsistent car setup. One weekend they are fighting top teams, the next they are struggling to escape Q1.

Late-braking overtakes into almost every turn. These guys take big risks because they have everything to prove.

6. Aston Martin

The high-tech heavyweights. Born from the legacy of Force India and Racing Point, then reinvented as a sleek, deep-pocketed British icon.

Keep an eye out for Fernando Alonso. The eternal warrior can squeeze 110% performance out of a shopping cart if you put four racing slicks on it.

However, Lance Stroll's consistency remains a roll of the dice, and car development mid-season can hit unexpected plateaus. Despite having one of the best engineers on the grid, the car is… not really fast.

Alonso's defensive driving. Watching him park his car on the apex to deny faster opponents is a masterclass in racecraft.

7. Atlassian Williams

The fan-favourite midfielder. With nine Constructors' Championships from their golden era in the '80s and '90s, now rebuilding back towards the front.

Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz give them a punchy, experienced lineup that maximises every single point opportunity. Supporting Williams feels wholesome; everyone wants them to win. Also, Sainz is pretty handsome.

High-speed downforce deficit. Straight-line speed is decent, but complex technical sectors can pull them back.

Straight-line top speeds along the main pit straight. They often trim wing angle to stay untouchable on the straights.

8. Alpine

The wildcard factory. Formerly Renault, with deep championship roots (think Enstone's championship glory years in 2005-2006).

Gorgeous livery and explosive potential when everything aligns. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto never yield an inch in wheel-to-wheel battles.

Management restructuring is practically a seasonal sport for them, and reliability issues hit when you least expect it.

These guys are known for aggressive defending throughout the race.

9. Audi Revolut

The German precision powerhouse. The team took over the legacy Sauber foundation, transforming it into a full Audi works factory entry.

Audi entered F1 with massive technical backing from the World Endurance Championship team. Driven by seasoned veteran Nico Hülkenberg and rising talent Gabriel Bortoleto, they have serious technical backing.

However, building a championship car takes time. Expect teething problems during the early development phase.

Their race pace during long stints could do better. Audi's focus is on efficiency and tyre wear management over one-lap qualifying speed.

10. TGR Haas

The blue-collar brawlers. The lean, pragmatic squad that punches way above its budget ceiling using strategic Ferrari partnerships.

Zero corporate fluff. Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman provide a spicy mix of experience and raw youth. They love a tactical gamble under changing weather conditions.

The team's restricted development budget means if they start the season slow, catching up is a mountain to climb.

Keep an eye out for early pit stops to attempt an undercut when the track goes from wet to dry.

11. Cadillac

The new American contenders. F1's newest 11th entrant, backed by General Motors' motorsport division.

Heavyweight experience behind the wheel with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. They bring massive commercial energy and fresh eyes to grid tactics.

Though, they have zero historical track data at Sepang as a team unit. Learning a high-degradation circuit from scratch is a trial by fire.

The main worry is their reliability over 56 laps. Surviving the heat at Sepang without an engine hiccup will be their first major victory.

What really matters at Sepang International Circuit?

Sepang is unique because of its two massive straights separated by a hairpin, coupled with medium-to-high-speed turns like Turn 5, 6, and 7. Here are some pointers to watch out for this weekend:

Watch the cooling vents. Teams will cut open extra cooling slits in the bodywork to survive the 34°C ambient heat. Extra cooling means more aerodynamic drag, which slows them down on the straights.

Track the weather radar. A monsoon storm can hit Turn 15 while Turn 1 is completely bone dry. Teams with sharp, decisive pit wall strategists (like Red Bull or McLaren) will capitalise on this instantly.

If you want local pride, root for Mercedes. PETRONAS fluid technology powers that engine, making a Mercedes win feel like a home victory.

If you want pure drama: Pick Ferrari or Red Bull. You will never have a boring Sunday.