KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Malaysia is discussing a possible return to the Formula One calendar beyond this weekend’s race at Sepang, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today, raising hopes of a longer-term revival of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Anwar confirmed the talks during a brief exchange with Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle on the grid at the Sepang International Circuit ahead of today’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Asked by Brundle about the prospect of Malaysia returning to the F1 calendar in future, Anwar replied: “Well, I’m looking forward to it. We are discussing.”
The remark is the clearest indication yet that Putrajaya is considering extending Malaysia’s renewed association with Formula One beyond this weekend, which marked the sport’s first race at Sepang in nine years.
Drenched after heavy rain swept across the circuit and delayed the start, Anwar nevertheless said the mood surrounding Formula One’s return had been overwhelmingly positive.
“Oh yes. You see, I’m wet, drenched, but excited. You see, the entire country is rejoicing,” he told Brundle.
Formula One returned to Sepang this weekend for the first time since 2017 after the Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to Malaysia because of security concerns linked to conflict in the Middle East.
The October 2-4 race retained its official Bahrain Grand Prix designation and was arranged as a one-off event.
Malaysia previously hosted a Formula One race annually from 1999 until 2017, when the government ended the event amid concerns over high costs and diminishing returns.
The economics of a permanent comeback remain a major hurdle.
Sepang International Circuit chief executive Azhan Shafriman Hanif has said Malaysia would require at least RM300 million a year to secure a regular place on the F1 calendar, with any return also dependent on a slot becoming available.
By contrast, Malaysia’s expenditure for this weekend’s event was estimated at between RM10 million and RM16 million because Bahrain had already borne the major hosting costs.
