{
  "id": 11897331,
  "title": "Anwar says Malaysia discussing return of F1 race",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/anwar-says-malaysia-discussing-return-of-f1-race-11897331",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T08:51:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/04/anwar-says-malaysia-discussing-return-of-f1-race"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed today that the Malaysian government is discussing the potential return of the Formula One race to the Sepang International Circuit. The government's excitement stems from the recent return of Formula One action to the circuit this weekend, postponed due to heavy rain. Anwar expressed his own enthusiasm, stating, \"You see, I’m wet, drenched, but am very excited. You see, the entire country is rejoicing.\" The rain caused a delay in the race's start, with the procedure suspended due to the drivers going out behind the safety car. Notably, this marks the first time a Formula One race has been held at Sepang since 2017. The Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for SIC, was relocated due to Middle Eastern security concerns. Malaysia previously hosted the F1 race annually from 1999 to 2017 until the government cited high hosting costs and declining returns. The government had previously estimated that securing a permanent place on the F1 calendar would cost Malaysia around RM300 million annually, including hosting rights fees.",
  "summary": "The prime minister says he is looking forward to the prospect as Formula One returns to Sepang after a nine-year absence.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Anwar says Malaysia discussing return of F1 race",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/anwar-says-malaysia-discussing-return-of-f1-race",
        "published": "2026-10-04T08:51:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Anwar: Malaysia discussing F1 return to Sepang",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/anwar-malaysia-discussing-f1-return-to-sepang",
        "published": "2026-10-04T09:45:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}