Red Bull's Isack Hadjar will receive a five-place grid penalty for new power unit elements, adding to his season total after already exceeding his allocation when Liam Lawson substituted for him during three race weekends following the summer break. F1 penalty rules award five-place drops for subsequent new parts after the initial 10-place penalty.
Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad will start from the back of the grid after taking multiple fresh power unit components that trigger the maximum penalty. Franco Colapinto also serves a five-place grid drop for causing a collision with teammate Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris in Baku.
The FIA has declared the weekend a heat hazard due to forecast temperatures reaching 31-33°C with high humidity at Sepang International Circuit. Cars must carry a cooling system, which circulates chilled liquid through a fireproof vest. Drivers can choose not to wear the vest but must carry 0.5kg of cockpit ballast instead.
The heat-hazard designation marks the third such ruling in 2026 following Austria and Italy. Sepang's equatorial location has historically made it one of the most physically demanding circuits for drivers, with cockpit temperatures exceeding 40°C despite the cooling equipment.