{"id":4042,"date":"2026-10-15T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4042"},"modified":"2026-10-15T11:18:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T14:18:15","slug":"malaysias-f1-return-gains-momentum-after-261000-fans-at-sepang-but-1bn-question-remains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/malaysias-f1-return-gains-momentum-after-261000-fans-at-sepang-but-1bn-question-remains\/","title":{"rendered":"Malaysia&#8217;s F1 return gains momentum after 261,000 fans at Sepang. But $1bn question remains"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Malaysia is evaluating a permanent return to the Formula 1 calendar<\/strong>, either annually or through an alternative hosting arrangement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang attracted <strong>approximately 261,000 spectators<\/strong> and was projected to generate RM950 million in economic activity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A government committee is expected to submit its assessment to the cabinet by <strong>November<\/strong>, before any decision on a new hosting agreement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Malaysia has taken another step towards a permanent Formula 1 comeback<\/strong>, with the government confirming that it is assessing the financial viability of restoring Sepang International Circuit to the championship calendar following the success of the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Youth and Sports Minister <strong>Mohammed Taufiq Johari<\/strong> told the Malaysian parliament on Thursday, October 15, that the government is examining whether the economic benefits of hosting Formula 1 would justify the substantial long-term costs involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement follows the championship&#8217;s return to Sepang on October 2\u20134, when the circuit hosted the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix \u2014 its first Formula 1 race since 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to government figures, the three-day event attracted <strong>approximately 261,000 spectators<\/strong>, including an estimated 103,000 on race day. Authorities have also cited projected economic returns of <strong>RM950 million<\/strong>, strengthening the case for further discussions with Formula 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Malaysia has not yet committed to an annual Grand Prix, and officials are considering alternative arrangements that could reduce the financial burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sepang&#8217;s success revives Malaysia&#8217;s Formula 1 ambitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The return of Formula 1 to Sepang was originally conceived as an exceptional arrangement rather than the restoration of the Malaysian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bahrain round had been unable to take place at its traditional venue in Sakhir because of security concerns affecting the Middle East. Formula 1 subsequently reached an agreement to stage the event in Malaysia while retaining Bahrain&#8217;s official race identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/why-is-the-2026-bahrain-grand-prix-taking-place-in-sepang-malaysia\/\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO explained before the event<\/strong><\/a>, the arrangement allowed Sepang to return to the championship after a nine-year absence without creating a separate Malaysian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race ultimately provided an opportunity to assess both the circuit&#8217;s ability to host modern Formula 1 and the public demand for a permanent return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The difference in attendance was particularly striking. Malaysian officials said the country&#8217;s final Formula 1 event in 2017 had sold approximately 30,000 tickets, compared with nearly 100,000 tickets for the 2026 comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The figures have reinforced the government&#8217;s interest in exploring a new agreement, although officials have stressed that a one-off event does not necessarily demonstrate the economic viability of an annual Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/30-kualalumpur-sunday-2026-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1020317275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/30-kualalumpur-sunday-2026-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/30-kualalumpur-sunday-2026-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/30-kualalumpur-sunday-2026-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/30-kualalumpur-sunday-2026-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/30-kualalumpur-sunday-2026-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/30-kualalumpur-sunday-2026-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bahrain GP in Malaysia (Photo: Pirelli)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Government weighs major hosting costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The financial question remains the central obstacle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Malaysia withdrew from Formula 1 after the 2017 season partly because the cost of hosting the championship was considered too high relative to the benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Previous government estimates indicated that restoring an annual race could require approximately <strong>RM300 million per year in hosting fees<\/strong>, with multi-year agreements potentially involving commitments of up to RM1.5 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That financial burden must be assessed against tourism, commercial activity, international exposure and the wider economic impact of the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mohammed Taufiq said the government must also ensure that spending on Formula 1 would not compromise investment in other sports or athlete development programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One possibility under consideration is a race held once every few years, potentially through an arrangement involving another country. Such a model remains at an early stage, and no agreement has been announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A government evaluation committee involving several ministries and the chief secretary to the government is reviewing the proposal. Its findings are expected to reach the cabinet by November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anwar Ibrahim confirms talks with Formula 1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prime Minister <strong>Anwar Ibrahim<\/strong> had already opened the door to a longer-term return during the Sepang weekend, when he met Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked by <em>Sky Sports F1<\/em> commentator Martin Brundle about Malaysia&#8217;s prospects of returning permanently, Anwar said: &#8220;Well, I&#8217;m looking forward to it. We are discussing.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prime minister subsequently confirmed that the government had begun exploring the possibility of restoring the Malaysian Grand Prix, while warning that negotiations would require time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main challenge is not simply Malaysia&#8217;s willingness to host another race. Formula 1 already has a crowded international calendar, with existing contractual commitments limiting the number of available positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also emphasised the importance of a sustainable long-term business plan, indicating that any proposal would need to demonstrate financial viability rather than rely exclusively on the enthusiasm generated by the 2026 event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Verstappen&#8217;s Sepang victory adds sporting significance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 2026 race also produced one of the most important results of Red Bull&#8217;s season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Max Verstappen secured victory at Sepang, ending his winless run and demonstrating the progress made by the team&#8217;s latest development package. The result proved especially significant when he followed it with another dominant victory in Singapore one week later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Sepang, the race marked a reunion with the driver who had also won <strong>the final Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The circuit itself remains one of Formula 1&#8217;s established modern venues. Opened in 1999, it combines long straights, high-speed corners, heavy braking zones and demanding tropical conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-bahrein-malasia-corrida-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-4-1024x576.png\" alt=\"F1 2026, BAHREIN, MAL\u00c1SIA, CORRIDA, MERCEDES, KIMI ANTONELLI, RED BULL, MAX VERSTAPPEN, ROSTO, RETRATO\" class=\"wp-image-1020317195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-bahrein-malasia-corrida-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-bahrein-malasia-corrida-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-bahrein-malasia-corrida-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-4-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-bahrein-malasia-corrida-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-4-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-bahrein-malasia-corrida-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-4-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-bahrein-malasia-corrida-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-4-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/f1-2026-bahrein-malasia-corrida-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-4.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen in Sepang (Photo: Mercedes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/f1-last-raced-at-sepang-in-2017-what-changes-for-its-2026-return\/\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO&#8217;s comparison of Sepang&#8217;s 2017 and 2026 Formula 1 appearances<\/strong><\/a> detailed how changes in car dimensions, aerodynamics and energy management altered the challenge facing teams returning to Malaysia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The successful organisation of the Bahrain Grand Prix demonstrated that the venue could still accommodate Formula 1, but a permanent agreement would require separate commercial and political approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government has not announced a proposed year for the Malaysian Grand Prix&#8217;s return, and Formula 1 has not confirmed that a calendar position is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For now, the next formal step is the completion of the government&#8217;s financial and economic assessment, expected to be presented to the cabinet by November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> continues to follow the developments surrounding Formula 1&#8217;s international calendar, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/f1-united-states-gp-2026-austin-schedule-start-times-and-how-to-watch\/\"><strong>2026 United States Grand Prix on October 23\u201325<\/strong><\/a>, through its <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1 coverage<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Malaysia&#8217;s government is studying a permanent Formula 1 comeback after Sepang&#8217;s successful 2026 race, but major hosting costs and the championship&#8217;s crowded calendar could determine whether the plan proceeds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020317187,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Sepang received Bahrain 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