Inside Sepang's F1 Countdown: Closed Gates, 500 Volunteers, a Local Title
Sepang has been closed since 7 September for F1 upgrades. Here's what has changed, who is helping, and how local racing fitted around it.
For most of September, Sepang International Circuit has been closed to the public while it is prepared for Formula 1's first visit since 2017. With the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix just days away (2–4 October), here is a look at the work behind the scenes, and at how the rest of Malaysian motorsport has fitted around it.
A circuit-wide refresh
The circuit closed to the public on 7 September. According to paultan.org and Malay Mail, the work has included:
- repairs and upgrades to the racing circuit
- improvements to spectator seating
- upgrades to toilets and other public facilities
All of the work must meet the standards set by Formula 1 and the FIA, the sport's governing body.
The preparation is being coordinated by a main committee, supported by a technical committee that meets weekly and several sub-committees. Government departments, including protocol and immigration, are also involved.
"80% complete" and on schedule
On 10 September, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the preparations were on track. "Currently, our preparations are at 80% completion and we have identified 500 volunteers to undergo training," he said, according to The Star.
He added that the upgrade and repair works started on 7 September and were running on schedule.
The volunteers
Sepang opened volunteer applications in late July, and there were around 500 places available. Applicants were asked about their previous volunteering experience, any work at the circuit, their availability and their areas of interest.
For many Malaysians, it is a rare chance to be part of an F1 weekend on home soil, working alongside international teams and officials.
A home title just before closure
The last major race before the closure was round five of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in early September, and it produced a big Malaysian result.
JDT Racing Team rider Hafizh Syahrin clinched the 2026 ASB1000 title at Sepang with a round to spare. He won race one, his ninth win in a row, and finished second in race two, where Japan's Kaito Toba ended his winning streak. According to iMotorbike, it is Hafizh's second ASB1000 title in a row, and JDT also won the team championship.
Fitting the calendar around F1
Adding a Formula 1 race to the calendar at short notice affected other events at Sepang. In July, SIC chief executive Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the circuit was talking to existing clients about moving their events or finding other options.
He noted that Sepang usually closes for about 10 days before MotoGP, but F1 needs around two weeks or more. The ARRC and the Thailand Super Series were mentioned as events that could be affected. In the end, the ARRC round went ahead in early September, just before the closure began.
What's next
Once the F1 circus leaves, Sepang has a busy end to the year. The Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix is on 1 November, which means the circuit will host two world championship events in about a month.
Key takeaways
- Sepang has been closed to the public since 7 September for F1 upgrades.
- Work covers the track, spectator seating and public facilities.
- The minister said preparations were 80% complete on 10 September, with 500 volunteers identified.
- Hafizh Syahrin won the 2026 ASB1000 title at Sepang just before the closure.
- MotoGP returns to Sepang on 1 November.
FAQ
Why has Sepang been closed in September? The circuit closed on 7 September for upgrades and repairs ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix on 2–4 October.
How many volunteers are working at the F1 race? The Youth and Sports Minister said 500 volunteers had been identified for training.
Who won the 2026 ASB1000 title? Malaysia's Hafizh Syahrin of JDT Racing Team, who clinched it at Sepang in early September.
Sources: The Star, Malay Mail, paultan.org, Media Selangor, iMotorbike, MCNews, Wikipedia