{
  "id": 10592734,
  "title": "SIC optimistic of hitting 100,000 ticket sales for F1 Bahrain GP",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/sic-optimistic-of-hitting-100-000-ticket-sales-for-f1-bahrain-gp-10592734",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T02:41:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/29/sic-optimistic-of-hitting-100-000-ticket-sales-for-f1-bahrain-gp"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SIC CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif expressed optimism about reaching a milestone of 100,000 ticket sales for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 in Malaysia. The race is set to take place from October 2 to 4 at the Sepang International Circuit. Three-day tickets have already been sold at a rate of around 95,000, which SIC believes is a strong response to F1's return to the country after a nine-year hiatus. Hanif stated that international visitors have accounted for 50% of ticket sales, indicating the race's strong appeal among overseas fans. This surge in sales is attributed to the remarkable experience created by the partnership between Bahrain and Malaysia. The Malaysian GP at Sepang in 2008 recorded the highest attendance with 126,690 spectators. SIC is undertaking significant upgrades to the paddock, which posed a major logistical challenge due to the large cargo of Formula 1 equipment, estimated at four to five times the volume typically handled for MotoGP. BIC CEO Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa highlighted the economic impact of the event, projecting it to generate around USD240 million (RM979 million) for the country. He emphasized the opportunity to experience Bahrain's culture and hope for a safe and memorable race weekend.",
  "summary": "SIC CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif says around 95,000 three-day tickets have already been sold.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "SIC optimistic of hitting 100,000 ticket sales for F1 Bahrain GP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/sic-optimistic-of-hitting-100-000-ticket-sales-for-f1-bahrain-gp",
        "published": "2026-09-29T02:41:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "F1 Bahrain GP ticket sales at Sepang near 100,000",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/f1-bahrain-gp-ticket-sales-at-sepang-near-100-000",
        "published": "2026-09-29T04:50:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}