SEPANG, Oct 3 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today attended the Formula One (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying session at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), where he also inspected preparations and the overall running of the race.

Anwar arrived at the circuit at about 4.50pm and was received by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Petronas President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, SIC Chairman Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz and other dignitaries.

He then proceeded for a 15-minute tour of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team pit.

Following the session, Anwar attended a welcome dinner hosted by Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa at the paddock.

The F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia began yesterday with the first and second free practice sessions, followed by the third free practice session and qualifying today.

The 56-lap race is scheduled to start at 3pm tomorrow.

The event marks the return of Formula One to Sepang after a nine-year absence, with the circuit last hosting an F1 race in 2017.

In July, Formula 1 and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) confirmed that Malaysia would host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from Oct 2 to 4, following an agreement involving F1, the FIA and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.

The arrangement enables the Bahrain Grand Prix to remain on the 2026 F1 calendar after the original event could not proceed in Bahrain, with the race relocated to Sepang amid the situation in West Asia.

The return of Formula One to Malaysia followed discussions and cooperation involving His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, as well as the two governments.

Formula One made its debut at Sepang in 1999, with the circuit hosting the Malaysian Grand Prix until 2017. — Bernama