MALAYSIA’S return to the Formula 1 calendar has been attributed to successful royal diplomacy, reflecting the close relationship and mutual trust between His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
The two leaders have maintained a close personal friendship since 2017, which has continued to develop into stronger diplomatic ties between Bahrain and Malaysia.
The relationship was further strengthened through Sultan Ibrahim’s State Visit to Bahrain in 2025.
According to a statement shared on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s official social media platforms, discussions between the two monarchs played a key role in resolving challenges surrounding the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix following disruptions caused by armed conflicts in West Asia.
“Following challenges to the Formula 1 racing calendar due to armed conflicts in West Asia, the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix faced uncertainty and required an immediate solution to ensure the prestigious race could continue.
“In efforts to find a solution, the King of Bahrain held discussions through a telephone call with the His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim.
“The discussions, held in a warm atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding, became the starting point for strategic cooperation between the Government of Malaysia, the Government of Bahrain, Formula 1 and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA),” the statement said.
Following the agreement, the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix will be held at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit, marking the return of Formula 1 racing to Malaysia after the country last hosted the event in 2017.
The announcement that Sepang would serve as the venue for the Bahrain Grand Prix has been warmly welcomed by Formula 1 fans in Malaysia and across the region.
The race, scheduled to take place at the Sepang International Circuit in October, is expected to generate long-term economic benefits for the country.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said hosting the prestigious race would strengthen Malaysia’s position as a world-class motorsport hub.
He described Bahrain’s decision to entrust Malaysia with hosting the event as a major honour and recognition of the country’s capabilities.
“Although Malaysia has not hosted Formula One since 2017, this opportunity allows Malaysians to once again witness the race live at SIC after almost a decade of only following the action through television broadcasts.
“As someone who has an interest in motorsports, Formula One and MotoGP, I welcome the government’s decision to host Formula One from 2 to 4 October this year.
“We thank Bahrain for placing its trust in Malaysia to organise this race,” he said after officiating the National Air Disaster Preparedness Exercise 2026.
Zahid said that although hosting Formula 1 involves significant costs, the expenses would be borne by Bahrain, allowing Malaysia to enjoy economic and promotional benefits without a heavy financial burden.
He said the economic impact would extend beyond immediate gains such as increased tourist arrivals, with longer-term benefits arising from extensive international media coverage.
“Formula One audiences and viewers reach billions of people worldwide. This will provide medium- and long-term effects for our country in terms of promotion and international exposure,” he said.
He also described Sepang International Circuit as a world-class venue with facilities comparable to leading international racing locations.
Zahid said the circuit’s capabilities should be fully utilised, as Sepang had historically been more closely associated with hosting MotoGP events.
“This is a great honour for our country because SIC has world-class facilities, and it would be a waste if they are not fully utilised,” he said.
He expressed hope that Malaysia could host Formula One more consistently in the future through strategic cooperation between the government and private sector.
Ahmad Zahid said the government could consider providing certain allocations and securing sponsorship support from corporate companies to ensure the continuation of the prestigious event in the years ahead.
He said that through smart partnerships, Malaysia could continue hosting world-class motorsport events that deliver significant economic returns and enhance the country’s global image. - July 27, 2026
