PETRONAS has issued a clarification on the ownership and operational responsibilities of the Petronas Sepang International Circuit following the announcement that Malaysia will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 from 2 to 4 October.
In a statement late Monday, the national oil company said it welcomed the overwhelmingly positive response from motorsport fans to Formula 1's return to Sepang, but sought to address misconceptions surrounding its role in the event.
Petronas said that although it holds the naming rights to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit, ownership of the venue rests with Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd, a company under the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc.).
“SIC is owned by Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd, a company under the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc.), and is operated by an agency under the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” the company said.
The company also stressed that it is not the organiser of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 and is not involved in the management or operation of the race weekend.
As such, Petronas said it does not manage, control or have access to ticket allocation, ticket sales or ticket distribution for the event.
“Ticket sales are fully managed by the event organiser and authorised official channels,” it said.
The clarification follows heightened public interest after Malaysia confirmed the return of Formula 1 to Sepang for the first time since 2017, ending a hiatus after the country hosted the championship continuously for 19 years from 1999.
The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 at Sepang will form part of the FIA Formula One World Championship calendar and is expected to attract significant numbers of domestic and international spectators. - July 28, 2026
