On the weekend of Oct 2nd to Oct 4th 2026, the Bahrain F1 race was held in Malaysia, at the old Sepang circuit, where the last F1 race held there was in 2017.
By all accounts, it was a success. The different F1 teams posted many videos and gifs celebrating Malaysia, its food, culture and major spots to visit, on their Social Media accounts, leading up to the race. The Bahrainians financed everything, and even flew in their own staff and attractions to liven up the whole event.
So basically it was Bahrain F1 2026, held in Malaysia.
Additionally, for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, it was like a major home-coming, as Petronas Oil and Gas is the quintessential Malaysian company. (im sorry Air-asia, and even Malaysian Airlines and Maybank, y'all dont count)
It also made sense, due to the fact the Singapore F1 race was right after that, on Oct 9th to Oct 11th. Singapore, Malaysia's richer southern neighbour, the city-state that's a 4 hour drive from Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur. Singapore's Marina Bay F1 circuit is famous for being the first ever 'Twilight' F1 race, A.K.A the first ever F1 race held at night.
But hang on a moment. I want to point out, there is a reason why F1 was only held at Sepang between 1999 and 2017. No F1 race has been held at the Sepang F1 circuit for 9 years. 9 years! 9! Why?
In fact there's not just one reason, but several. Let me explain:
Firstly, the cost. The Malaysian Govt and Petronas Oil and Gas (Malaysia's state oil company) was paying up to 60 million US dollars a year just to hold the race there. But there werent enough people buying tickets and attending the race in past years to justify that enormous expenditure. This time Bahrain was financing it, but next time, if Malaysia is on its own, can they afford such a massive expense? Clearly not, especially since its been proven F1 fans prefer the rival Singapore F1 race which was just down south.
Secondly: the remoteness of the location. What most media did not report, was how transport and logistics were a complete nightmare. But Singapore's Channel News Asia (CNA) did, and god dayum what a bloody mess it was. Lines and lines of people had to walk all the way, 2 hrs to the next transportation hub, buses were late, if they arrived at all, and it was very hard to get from a to b. Basically, the Sepang F1 circuit is in the middle of bum-f**k no where, and organizing anything there is basically a logistical nightmare. Hence any food and drinks there costs the earth, about 4 or 5 times the cost compared to else where in Malaysia.
Thirdly: the crazy weather. Either it was scorching hot, and F1 drivers had to constantly hydrate themselves. Or it would be literally raining cats and dogs. I shit you not, in 2009 the rain was so bad, they had to stop the race, and even on this 2026 race, they had to temporarily stop the race until the rain cleared and it was safe to race again. (Fortunately the monsoon rains didnt dump fish, snakes, crocodiles and even manta rays on the Sepang circuit track, like they did on the streets of Bangkok city)
But in the end: Petronas is not just any old oil and gas company: It's partnership with Mercedes-AMG in F1 racing has led to ground-breaking research that has produced industry leading racing lubricant, Petronas Syntium, and the profits of this research has gone to swell the coffers of the Malaysian Government. Can Air-Asia, Maybank or Malaysian Airlines claim anything similar? Can any other 'Malaysian' company claim the same at all?
That is why, Sepang F1 racing circuit track or no, I am still very proud of Petronas's partnership with Mercedes-AMG, and Malaysia's involvement in F1 racing. I always fill up my gas tank at Petronas's petrol stations, and experience a tinge of patriotic pride, whenever I see the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team zoom past on a F1 circuit
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