F1: Sepang sees smoother fan arrival ahead of Bahrain GP
Thousands of Formula 1 fans streamed into the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on Sunday, Oct 4, after organisers deployed additional shuttle buses and extra marshals to smooth their arrival for the Gulf Air Bahrain…
Source: The Star · Free Malaysia Today · October 4, 2026 at 8:32 AM · AI-assisted report
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SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —
Thousands of Formula 1 fans streamed into the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on Sunday, Oct 4, after organisers deployed additional shuttle buses and extra marshals to smooth their arrival for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which is slated to begin at 3 p.m.
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The improved traffic flow matters because spectators had faced congestion and a “challenging journey” to the circuit in the days leading up to the event, and the race marks Formula 1’s return to Malaysia after a nine‑year hiatus, drawing heightened public interest and large crowds.
Bernama reporters observed the fan influx at about 11 a.m., noting that the crowd was already gathering ahead of the Bahrain race. The event follows a period of heavy traffic on previous days, when fans reported “chaotic” conditions while trying to reach the venue.
The Bahrain Grand Prix, the first of the 2026 season, is being staged at Sepang rather than in its namesake country, prompting a surge of local and regional supporters to travel to the circuit.
Organisers offered free shuttle buses from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2, Mitsui Outlet Park, Sepang and Bandar Baru Enstek, Nilai. Lawyer Thariq Abdullah, 56, who travelled from Puchong with his wife and son, said the shuttle service from KLIA Terminal 2 was “much better today” compared with his experience on Friday. “Friday was quite chaotic, but today looks better as there are more buses and marshals,” he told Bernama.
Thariq added that he hopes the smoother operation can be maintained, especially when spectators leave the circuit after the race, “as problems usually occur on the return journey when many people leave at the same time.”
Thariq, a veteran of several F1 and MotoGP events, said the atmosphere this year was palpable. “Malaysia has not hosted it for a long time, so people are excited. There may be a generation who have never experienced this atmosphere before, and they are here to enjoy it,” he said. His comments underscore the novelty of the event for younger fans who have not witnessed a Formula 1 race on home soil.
In addition to transport measures, officials installed a drinking‑water station at the bus stop near the SIC entrance to address the hot weather. Hope Huan Hee Keng, assistant manager of a contracting company, confirmed the installation, saying the station “had been installed to allow spectators to get water while waiting for buses in the hot weather.” The provision of water points reflects the organisers’ effort to enhance spectator comfort amid high temperatures.
The coordinated deployment of extra buses, marshals and amenities illustrates the logistical preparation behind hosting a global motorsport event in Malaysia. By easing ingress and offering basic services such as drinking water, the Sepang circuit aims to deliver a seamless experience for the thousands of fans gathered for the Bahrain Grand Prix, while setting a precedent for future international racing fixtures on Malaysian soil.
Organisers and local authorities said they will continue to monitor crowd movement, particularly the egress after the race, to prevent the bottlenecks that plagued earlier days. Thariq’s hope that “the situation can be maintained” captures the broader expectation that the improved arrangements will persist throughout the event, ensuring that both arrival and departure phases run smoothly for the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend.
Related: Gulf Air · Thariq Abdullah · Sepang International Circuit