According to a report by NST, the government has confirmed it has received preliminary information on the possibility of hosting a Formula 1 race at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) should the Bahrain Grand Prix be replaced later this year.
Youth and sports minister Taufiq Johari said the matter had been brought to the attention of Prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his ministry, with discussions and evaluations now actively underway.
“The prime minister and the ministry have received preliminary information on the possibility of organising a Formula 1 race at the Sepang International Circuit to replace the Bahrain Formula One race,” Taufiq told the news outlet.
“In this regard, discussions and assessments by the ministry are actively being carried out. The ministry remains committed to its mission of supporting the development of sports in the country, including motorsports. Any further developments will be announced once the matter has been finalised,” he added.
As per our earlier report, Formula 1 is eyeing a slot between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sept 27 and the Singapore Grand Prix on Oct 11 in the event the Bahrain race is called off due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally scheduled for April 12, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following a week after on April 19. However, Formula 1 announced in March that both races would be cancelled due to the conflict, which led to an enforced break in April.
While Saudi Arabia’s race will not be rescheduled, Bahrain had been hoping to still have its grand prix proceed on the weekend of October 4. ESPN reports that Malaysia has emerged as a serious candidate to host a race if Formula 1 is unable to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix.
With the 2026 season already shortened to 22 races and the final two grand prix in Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6 in doubt, Formula 1 is looking to fill a potential gap in the calendar.
SIC first hosted the F1 Malaysian Grand Prix in 1999, but due to the rising cost of hosting the event as well as declining ticket sales, the federal government decided to end it after the final race in 2017. Talk of a potential return has been going around for some time, although the recurring response has been it’s not going to happen.
last time say loss-making and stop it. now no more loss-making? or now so rich that willing to absorb the losses? Ini PH cannot percaya wann kuat spin.
I think FOM reducing hosting fees or because right now they wants to fill the calander
Johoreans have said it loud and clear. They chose 60 years stable gomen and rejected PH.
Time for N9 rakyats to do the same. Anda bila lagi?
Typical brainless comment. Up to 4 races could be cancelled due to the war (2 have already been cancelled), hence the need for alternative venues, such as Sepang. And no, MY will not be paying for it like they did during regular F1 races up to 2017. This will be a shared-pricing model. Next time spare 5 minutes to read before commenting like an absolute fool.
PMX said spend RM40 Billion on fuel subsidies due to Iran war.
So,spend somemore?
if loss making why bother to host unless, F1 bear the cost to make up for the losses.. no point entertain F1 body that only wants $$$
did i read it correctly… they are going to call it bahrain grand prix in malaysia .. if so perhaps something is brewing we didn’t know about… perhaps bahrain organiser will finance this event in malaysia after all.. in that case we can strongly consider that for the sake of diplomatic relationship and not causing us financial losses … perhaps our tourism ministry may help fill in the gaps to bring fans to malaysia .. hmm
only if F1 pay for it rather than malaysian government !
I hope if it comes back our F1 Glory will be better than the Singapore F1
same like how malaysia is far more peaceful, prosperous , and wealthy than singapore. no wait sorry my mistake its the other way around
How one runs by professional & business another one runs by cronies family syoking tax money for decades.
Unless FIA is willing to pay Malaysia to host it.
I guess there will a lot of spectators since lots of local F1 fans missed the Msia GP for so many years.
These could be one time in many years.
track got maintain or not oh…
improve your facilities first, its an embarrassment to invite tourists to see how run down some areas are
Hyundai AFF Cup pun tak ada duit mahu buat siaran langsung, lagi mahu buat F1 ka????