KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said any decision to bring Formula One (F1) racing back to Malaysia would require careful evaluation, including the national interest in hosting the prestigious motorsport event and the cost implications involved.
The Prime Minister, however, said that discussions on hosting the prestigious motorsport event had already been initiated.
He said further discussions would be held with F1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali, but the matter was still at an early stage, Bernama reported.
“We will discuss this with the F1 President, Stefano… but it is still too early. He has opened the discussion and we have to discuss it,” he said after the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in Sepang today.
He said this when asked whether Malaysia would return as an F1 host.
Earlier, Anwar and Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented prizes to the winners.
Malaysia hosted the Malaysian GP at SIC from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar due to the cost of hosting it.
Last July, F1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the Gulf Air Bahrain GP from Oct 2 to 4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain, marking the return of the prestigious event to SIC after nine years.
The return of F1 to Malaysia followed discussions and cooperation between Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as well as between the two governments, to retain the Bahrain GP on the 2026 F1 calendar after the race was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Today’s race, which was temporarily delayed due to heavy rain, saw four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing claim his maiden victory of the season.
He also won the race the last time F1 was held at SIC.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG Petronas finished second, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari completed the podium in third place. – October 4, 2026