Sepang a showcase of Bahrain's prowess at staging world-class events
The Sepang International Circuit is hosting the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from Oct. 2 to 4 after the original race in Bahrain was cancelled in April due to the geopolitical situation in West Asia, marking…
Source: The Edge Malaysia · October 3, 2026 at 8:02 AM · AI-assisted report
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SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT, 3 OCTOBER 2026 —
The Sepang International Circuit is hosting the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from Oct. 2 to 4 after the original race in Bahrain was cancelled in April due to the geopolitical situation in West Asia, marking the first time the kingdom has staged its home grand prix on foreign soil.
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The move followed an agreement in July involving Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain, setting in motion a compressed preparation window of less than 10 weeks. Advisor for Media Affairs at the Court of the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Isa Al Hammadi, said the short timeframe saw various parties in both countries working hand-in-hand on the preparation, management, execution, and branding of the event.
"The staging of the race in Malaysia was a formidable challenge and the Bahraini delegation pulled it off with amazing results in terms of management, preparation, planning, execution, and track branding in less than 10 weeks," Al Hammadi said in an interview with Bahraini Arabic-language newspaper Al-Ayam.
More than 500 Bahraini personnel and experts were deployed to Sepang, working in concert with their Malaysian counterparts across marshalling, circuit management and operations, tourism, and telecommunications. Al Hammadi said the involvement demonstrated the depth of cooperation between the two nations. "Everyone worked as a team — Team Bahrain," he said.
The event drew more than 100,000 spectators to the Sepang International Circuit, a figure Al Hammadi cited as an important aspect of the organisation. A dedicated Bahrain Village was created at the venue, offering spectators activities and experiences designed to showcase Bahraini culture.
On international promotion, Al Hammadi said the staging of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia had opened a door for the kingdom to introduce its identity to a global audience through the reach of Formula 1. He noted a growing interest in the sport among a new generation, driven partly by documentary content on streaming platforms, which had expanded the opportunity to raise Bahrain's profile.
"If we say Bahrain is in Malaysia today, naturally the world's attention also turns towards Bahrain although we are in Malaysia," Al Hammadi said.
The race weekend proceeds at Sepang from Oct. 2 to 4 under the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix branding, with the circuit operating under the operational framework established by the July agreement between F1, the FIA, and the two governments.
Related: Gulf Air · Court of the Crown Prince of Bahrain · Isa Al Hammadi · Sepang International Circuit