Malaysia weighs shared F1 hosting deal as Taufiq says cabinet will get Sepang review in November

Malaysia is studying whether to bring Formula 1 back on a regular basis, but the government is leaning towards a shared arrangement rather than an annual Grand Prix. Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, 15 October, that one option under discussion is staging a race every few years in partnership with another country, and that a full assessment will go to the cabinet in November.

What the minister told Parliament

Taufiq was answering a question from Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, who asked whether F1 would return and what factors, including hosting fees, would shape the decision. The minister said talks are still at an early stage and stressed that any move must make financial sense. "Hosting F1 is not cheap," he told the House, adding that there were several important aspects still to evaluate.

He also drew a clear line on funding: money for a Grand Prix must not come at the expense of athlete development or other sports. The cabinet, not the ministry, will make the final call.

Who is doing the review

An inter-ministerial committee, which includes the Chief Secretary to the Government, is examining the projected costs, economic returns and overall feasibility of hosting. Taufiq said the event should not be run by his ministry alone through Sepang International Circuit, and that any decision should deliver benefits across sectors such as tourism, retail and hospitality. The committee's findings are expected to reach the cabinet by November.

The October race that reopened the debate

The discussion follows the success of the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix, which was moved to Sepang on 2-4 October after Middle East security concerns prevented the race from going ahead at its usual home. It was the first F1 weekend in Malaysia since 2017, and Max Verstappen won a rain-hit race for Red Bull ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton.

According to figures cited in Parliament, the weekend drew about 261,000 visitors over three days and sold more than 100,000 tickets, compared with roughly 30,000 tickets for the final Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017. The government had initially projected around RM950 million in economic impact. Separately, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim said last week that local micro, small and medium enterprises gained more than RM345 million in spillover from the event, while 40 booths at the Rasa Madani carnival recorded over RM550,000 in sales.

Why cost is the sticking point

Malaysia hosted F1 every year from 1999 to 2017 before pulling out over rising hosting fees and falling ticket sales. Industry estimates put the cost of an annual race at more than RM300 million a year, which is why a rotating or shared slot is being considered. FIA officials have said the door remains open to Sepang if it can present a viable long-term business plan.

There are also hurdles on the F1 side. The calendar is already crowded and many venues are tied to long-term contracts, so any Malaysian return would depend on a slot being available. No hosting agreement has been announced, and no target year has been set.

What happens next

The next milestone is the committee's report to cabinet in November. Until then, Malaysian fans have a one-off memory of a packed Sepang rather than a confirmed fixture, but the strong turnout has clearly given the government a stronger case to examine.

Key takeaways

• Malaysia is considering a shared, every-few-years F1 race with another country rather than an annual Grand Prix.
• An inter-ministerial committee will submit its cost-benefit review to the cabinet by November 2026.
• The rescheduled Bahrain GP at Sepang on 2-4 October drew about 261,000 visitors and more than 100,000 ticket sales.
• Taufiq said F1 spending must not cut funding for athletes or other sports.
• No deal, partner country or target year has been announced.

FAQ

Is the Malaysian Grand Prix coming back? Not yet. The government is only assessing the idea, and the cabinet will decide after receiving a report in November.

Why did F1 race at Sepang in October 2026? The Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Sepang because Middle East security concerns stopped it from running at its original venue.

Why did Malaysia stop hosting F1 in 2017? Rising hosting fees and falling ticket sales led the government to withdraw after 19 straight races from 1999 to 2017.

Sources: The Star, Malay Mail, Reuters, Grande Prêmio