SEPANG: The government has initiated discussions regarding the possibility of Malaysia hosting Formula One (F1) racing again, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday (Oct 4).
He said the room for discussion regarding the hosting of the prestigious motorsports event has been opened and further discussions will be held with F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.
However, Anwar said the matter is still at an early stage.
"That we are discussing with their President, Stefano. But it's too early. He has opened [the door] for discussion and we have to discuss," he told Bernama and Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) after the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix race at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) here, on Sunday.
He said this when asked whether Malaysia will return as an F1 host.
Elaborating further, the Prime Minister said that any decision to bring the race back to the country's circuit requires careful evaluation, including the importance of hosting the sport for the nation as well as the cost implications involved.
Earlier, Anwar, together with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, presented prizes to the winners.
Malaysia had hosted the Malaysian GP at SIC from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar due to organising cost factors.
Last July, F1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the Gulf Air Bahrain GP from Oct 2-4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), as well as the Governments of Malaysia and Bahrain, seeing the prestigious event return to SIC after nine years.
The return of F1 to Malaysia followed discussions and cooperation involving His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, alongside both governments, to maintain the Bahrain GP in the 2026 F1 calendar after the race was cancelled earlier this season following geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Today's race, which was temporarily delayed due to heavy rain, saw four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing claim his maiden win of the season. He also won the race when F1 was last held at SIC in 2017.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG Petronas finished the race in second place, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton representing Ferrari completed the podium in third.- Bernama
