PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is discussing the permanent return of Formula One to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar made the remark during a pre-race grid walk at Sepang when approached by former F1 driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle.
Asked by Brundle whether Malaysia could get a permanent F1 race back in the future, Anwar said: “Well, I’m looking forward to it. We’re discussing.”
Formula One returned to Sepang over the weekend for the first time in nine years, with Malaysia hosting the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (Oct 2-4) after the race was relocated from its original venue in Bahrain.
Formula One and the FIA had announced in July that Sepang would host the Bahrain race under an agreement involving the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
The arrangement was for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix and did not mark the permanent restoration of the Malaysian Grand Prix to the F1 calendar.
Sepang previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix 19 times, from 1999 until 2017.
Earlier yesterday, Anwar visited the G Hillstand at SIC, where he met F1 fans attending the race and interacted with many Madani ticket holders.
Writing on Facebook, Anwar described a vibrant atmosphere at the hillstand and highlighted the Litar Rasa Madani Carnival, which features around 40 local food and beverage vendors.
Anwar said spectators could enjoy the race while also supporting local businesses operating at the carnival.
“While enjoying the race at the circuit, you can also grab a bite and support our traders,” he said.
He also thanked the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry and all agencies involved in organising the carnival.
Anwar said the initiative aimed to ensure the excitement around Formula One also brought economic benefits to local traders.
