{
  "id": 12097760,
  "title": "Sepang draws record crowd as Bahrain GP puts Malaysia back on F1 map",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/sepang-draws-record-crowd-as-bahrain-gp-puts-malaysia-back-on-f1-map",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T07:12:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/128006/sepang-draws-record-crowd-as-bahrain-gp-puts-malaysia-back-on-f1-map"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sepang International Circuit (SIC) welcomed over 260,000 spectators for the 2026 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, shattering Malaysia's previous F1 attendance record of 126,690 set in 2008. The three-day event saw 103,000 fans flock to the Sunday race alone. Bahrain International Circuit CEO Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa hailed the turnout as the most attended event ever at SIC, praising the energy of the fans. The Bahrain GP, held from Oct 2 to 4, provided Bahrain with a platform to display its culture and hospitality to regional fans. The race, initially set to be cancelled due to geopolitical tensions, was saved for the 2026 calendar by Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain. Sepang, which hosted the Malaysian GP from 1999 to 2017, welcomed the F1 return after a nine-year hiatus.",
  "summary": "SEPANG International Circuit (SIC) drew more than 260,000 spectators for the 2026 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, setting a new attendance record and signalling strong demand for Formula One racing in Malaysia after a nine-year absence from the calendar...",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 260,000 spectators attended 2026 Bahrain GP at Sepang International Circuit.",
    "103,000 fans filled the circuit for Sunday's race, breaking Malaysia's F1 attendance record.",
    "Bahrain GP secured platform for the country to showcase culture and hospitality to regional fans."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/12097760.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Malaysia eyes permanent F1 return to Sepang, but it will ‘take time’: Anwar",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/malaysia-eyes-permanent-f1-return-to-sepang-but-it-will-take-time",
        "published": "2026-10-05T06:23:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Malaysia eyes permanent F1 comeback despite travel chaos at Bahrain GP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/malaysia-eyes-permanent-f1-comeback-despite-travel-chaos-at-bahrain-gp",
        "published": "2026-10-05T07:08:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}