Malaysia govt studying possible F1 return to Sepang as Bahrain replacement, says youth and sports minister

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is conducting discussions and assessing the possibility of Formula One (F1) returning to the Sepang International Circuit, following preliminary information that Malaysia could host a replacement race if the Bahrain Grand Prix is unable to go ahead.

In a statement today, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the ministry had received early information on the proposal.

“The Prime Minister and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have received preliminary information regarding the possibility of hosting a Formula One race at the Sepang International Circuit as a replacement for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

In this regard, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is actively conducting discussions and assessing the proposal,” he said.

Taufiq said further developments would be announced once a decision has been finalised.

His statement comes after reports that Formula One is exploring contingency plans for this season amid continuing uncertainty over races in the Middle East because of the regional conflict.

Sepang has emerged as one of the circuits under consideration should the Bahrain Grand Prix be dropped from the revised calendar.

Malaysia last hosted a Formula One Grand Prix in 2017, ending an 18-year run after the race was removed from the calendar because of rising hosting costs and declining attendance.

Despite that, the Sepang International Circuit has retained the FIA Grade 1 licence required to stage Formula One races and continues to host MotoGP events.

According to Reuters, Formula One is seeking a replacement event between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11 after hopes of rescheduling the Bahrain race faded following renewed instability in the region.

Another option in Asia was Japan’s Suzuka circuit, though one source said there was little enthusiasm among teams to race there for a second time this season.

A decision is expected before the sport’s summer break concludes.