Kerajaan bincang penganjuran F1 pada masa depan

Kerajaan Malaysia is contemplating the possibility of reviving the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), following the rescheduling of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix due to heavy rain at the SIC. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that it is his hope and that they are discussing the matter. He made this remark in response to former F1 driver and Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle's question during a brief interview on the grid at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Anwar expressed his excitement about the potential return of F1 to the country, stating that the whole nation would be thrilled.

Rain and flooding delayed the start of the Grand Prix, which finally began at 4:35 pm. This marks the first time a Formula One race has been held in Sepang since 2017, despite the event being officially known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Bahrain race was moved to Sepang due to safety concerns arising from the regional conflict, thereby bringing Malaysia back into the F1 calendar. Malaysia has hosted the F1 race every year from 1999 to 2017.

The Najib Razak administration ended the Grand Prix series due to high costs and declining returns. Malaysia would only need to spend between RM10 million and RM16 million for preparations, considering that Bahrain is shouldering a significant portion of the costs associated with the Grand Prix. The SIC Chief Executive Officer, Azhan Shafriman Hanif, estimated that maintaining a permanent slot in the F1 calendar would cost Malaysia at least RM300 million annually, including the race fee.

He said that any permanent presence would depend on the government justifying the expenditure and having a slot available in the already crowded F1 calendar.