{
  "id": 11048484,
  "title": "Sepang F1 comeback hits record ticket sales, circuit 100pct ready",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/sepang-f1-comeback-hits-record-ticket-sales-circuit-100pct-ready",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T16:31:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/10/1544994/sepang-f1-comeback-hits-record-ticket-sales-circuit-100pct"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in Malaysia is fully prepared for this weekend's Formula 1 (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP), according to the circuit's chief executive officer, Azhan Shafriman Hanif. The record-breaking ticket sales for the event, nearly 100,000 tickets, have set a new benchmark for races held at the circuit. Hanif announced that only around 3,000 tickets remain available, which can still be purchased online through bahraingp.com. He emphasized that the readiness at the circuit has reached an impressive 100 percent, with nearly all logistics cargo having arrived ahead of the paddock activation scheduled for the following day.\n\nHanif highlighted the remarkable achievement, noting that Sepang only had a short two-month preparation period compared to the usual six to seven months. He described the experience as a roller coaster, acknowledging the various challenges faced over the past two months. Despite the difficulties, Hanif expressed that the team's efforts to elevate Sepang to F1 Grade 1 status have been truly astounding.\n\nIn an effort to ensure ideal conditions for the race, SIC is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to monitor air quality. Cloud seeding operations have been conducted in the surrounding areas to induce rainfall, aiming to clear the air and reduce the haze. Should the conditions not be ideal, Hanif stated that the circuit will assess the situation on the day of the race and consider cancelling or postponing the event if necessary. He also mentioned the threshold value (API level) for such decisions, expressing hope that the cloud seeding efforts will help keep the API level within acceptable limits.",
  "summary": "SEPANG: Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is fully prepared ahead of the Formula 1 (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) in Malaysia this weekend, with nearly 100,000 tickets sold, setting a record for the highest ticket sales in the history of races held at the circuit.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Sepang F1 comeback hits record ticket sales, circuit 100pc ready",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/sepang-f1-comeback-hits-record-ticket-sales-circuit-100pc-ready",
        "published": "2026-09-30T16:31:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}