KUALA LUMPUR – Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has dispelled speculations surrounding the return of Formula One (F1) races to Malaysia in 2026.
Speaking to Scoop, SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the SIC has not approached F1 or has any agreement to bring the race back.
He was responding to a report by Reuters quoting sources that naming rights holder Petroliam National Bhd (Petronas) intends to bring the race last held in 2017 back for racing fans here.
“I’m not sure where they obtained this information, but so far, there are no discussions or agreements with F1 to bring the race back to Malaysian shores,” Azhan clarified.
He said that any potential return of F1 to SIC hinges on government decisions, given their historical involvement in funding both F1 and the current MotoGP race.
“Bringing back the race to Malaysia will depend on the government because previously they bankrolled F1 and currently fund the MotoGP race here.
“So it is entirely up to the government if F1 returns to SIC.
“From our side itself, we have not engaged with the organisers to bring the race back to our circuit,” he said.
The rumours had originated from a Reuters report citing sources, indicating Petronas’ interest in bringing back the pinnacle of motor racing to the country.
The report mentioned Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz, president and CEO of Petronas, revealing the plan during a company town hall on Tuesday.
Malaysia, which hosted a leg of the F1 world championship at SIC in 1999, staged its last race in 2017 due to declining ticket sales and the escalating costs of hosting the event.
Despite recent speculations, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had previously mentioned that hosting an F1 race was deemed “very expensive,” expressing financial constraints that deterred the possibility of races in the near future. – January 31, 2024