The chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit has stated that Malaysia would face annual costs of at least £55 million to secure a full-time return to the Formula 1 calendar. The circuit has not hosted an F1 race since 2017, but will step in this October to host the Bahrain Grand Prix after the original event was deemed unsafe due to conflict in the Middle East.
Bahrain to cover costs for 2026 race
According to reports, the Bahraini authorities are covering the vast majority of expenses for the 2026 race, which will retain the name Bahrain Grand Prix and be sponsored by state-owned airline Gulf Air. Malaysia is essentially providing the FIA grade one-licensed circuit for the event. The sudden return has sparked speculation about whether Malaysia could bid for an annual slot in future.
Sepang is not expected to feature on the 2027 calendar unless it again steps in for a Middle Eastern nation. Circuit CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif estimated the minimum cost at 300 million ringgit (£55 million) per race. “My estimate is no less than 300 million ringgit, that is the cost,” he said, adding that host countries typically generate returns at least three times the expenditure.
Calendar availability also a factor
Hanif noted that a slot on the F1 calendar must also be available. “Perhaps in the future, based on the data we obtain from hosting this event, it could serve as a starting point for our decision. The other factor is the availability of a slot on the F1 calendar itself. If there is no slot, it will not happen.” He added that the immediate focus is on delivering the one-off event successfully, working with Bahrain and Formula 1.
F1’s 2027 calendar is not yet released but will include returning races at Portimao (Portugal) and Istanbul Park (Turkey), plus the new Madrid-hosted Spanish Grand Prix. To accommodate these, the Barcelona and Belgian races have become bi-annual, sharing one slot. F1 currently caps events at 24 per season, meaning any new addition would require other venues to rotate or drop off.
