{
  "id": 12025147,
  "title": "Malaysia eyes F1 calendar return as PM Anwar confirms talks under way",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/malaysia-eyes-f1-calendar-return-as-pm-anwar-confirms-talks-under-way-12025147",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T10:53:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/04/malaysia-eyes-f1-calendar-return-as-pm-anwar-confirms-talks-under-way/237688"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinted at a possible return of the Formula One calendar to Malaysia, beyond the upcoming race at Sepang, during a conversation with Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle on the grid at the Sepang International Circuit. Anwar expressed his anticipation, stating, \"Well, I’m looking forward to it. We are discussing.\" This comment represents the most explicit signal yet that the Malaysian government is considering extending its engagement with Formula One beyond the current weekend, which marked the sport’s first event at Sepang in nine years.\n\nDespite heavy rain delaying the race and Anwar's subsequent drenching, his excitement about Formula One’s return was palpable. \"Oh yes. You see, I’m wet, drenched, but excited. You see, the entire country is rejoicing,\" he told Brundle. The return of Formula One to Sepang this weekend, for the first time since 2017, was organized as a one-off event, retaining the official Bahrain Grand Prix name due to security concerns stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.\n\nThe economics of a permanent return, however, remain a significant challenge. Azhan Shafriman Hanif, the chief executive of Sepang International Circuit, estimates that Malaysia would need to invest at least RM300 million annually to maintain a regular spot on the F1 calendar. Additionally, any return would depend on a suitable time slot becoming available. In contrast, the costs for this weekend's event were considerably lower, estimated between RM10 million and RM16 million, thanks to Bahrain shouldering much of the major expenses.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Malaysia is discussing a possible return to the Formula One calendar beyond this weekend&rsq...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Malaysia eyes F1 calendar return as PM Anwar confirms talks under way",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/malaysia-eyes-f1-calendar-return-as-pm-anwar-confirms-talks-under-way",
        "published": "2026-10-04T10:53:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}