By Amiril Muttaqien Meketar & Muhammad Zulkarnain Mohd Azman
SEPANG, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Nine years after Formula 1 (F1) last roared around the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), the sport’s long-awaited return to Malaysia delivered everything fans could have hoped for – speed, drama, rain and an unforgettable atmosphere.
The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) in Malaysia 2026 was far from a straightforward comeback, with heavy rain delaying the race scheduled to start at 3 pm by 93 minutes before the drivers eventually took to the rain-soaked circuit.
While the drivers battled treacherous conditions on track, thousands of fans packed into the iconic Malaysian circuit, including the hillstands, refused to let the downpour dampen their enthusiasm. Many were armed with umbrellas and raincoats as they waited patiently for the action to begin.
The rain did not spare anyone at Sepang, not even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Before the race finally got underway, Anwar was seen braving the downpour on the soaked track, his clothes drenched as he took in the atmosphere ahead of the highly anticipated return of F1 to Malaysia.
Even with the drenched circuit, the atmosphere among the spectators remained electric, underlining the strong appetite for F1 in Malaysia after its nine-year absence.
A total of 261,000 spectators attended the race weekend, setting a new attendance record for SIC and surpassing the previous 126,690 spectators recorded for the 2008 Malaysian GP.
This event also received special attention today when His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, attended the race together with the top leaders of Malaysia, Bahrain and Brunei.
Among the top leaders who attended the race were Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and Prince Abdul Mateen Bolkiah.
In July, F1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the Gulf Air Bahrain GP from Oct 2-4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), as well as the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
The return of F1 to Malaysia followed discussions and cooperation involving His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, alongside both governments, to maintain the Bahrain GP in the 2026 F1 calendar after the race was cancelled earlier this season following geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Malaysia had hosted the Malaysian GP at SIC from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar due to organising cost factors.
The enthusiasm was also felt by the drivers.
Seven-time world champion from Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, who won third place, was visibly impressed by the reception.
“Well, I mean, listen to this crowd. I think this is the biggest crowd we’ve ever seen here, at least in my time of driving. I love this energy. Big, big thank you to Malaysia for welcoming us,” he said.
Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen rekindled his love affair with the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) by clinching his maiden victory of the season while current drivers’ standings leader Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team emerged as runners-up.
The Malaysian heat also tested the drivers, with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto among those to highlight just how demanding the conditions were during Friday’s practice session.
Off the circuit, the event gave Malaysians and international visitors a glimpse of Bahraini culture through dedicated pavilions, traditional displays and food.
After a weekend that began with blistering heat before giving way to torrential rain, Sepang once again proved why its unpredictable weather and demanding layout have long made it one of Formula 1’s most distinctive circuits.
Just as the cheers began to settle after a chaotic race, another possibility emerged that this might not be the last time F1 fans get to see their heroes race around Sepang.
Anwar said the government has initiated discussions on the possibility of Malaysia hosting F1 again, with further talks expected with F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Even though the discussions were still at an early stage, for the thousands who had braved the scorching heat, sudden downpour and long wait for the race to start, the prospect of seeing F1 return was enough to keep the dream alive.
For one weekend, Sepang belonged to the fans again.
-- BERNAMA