SHAH ALAM, July 27 — Malaysia will not be charged any registration fees while hosting the Formula One (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from October 2 to October 4.
Harian Metro reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the hosting of the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 in the country will also be free.
"Alhamdulillah (God be praised), (for the hosting opportunity) after several years. It used to cost hundreds of millions when we organised it in 2017.
"Today, we organise it without paying registration fees to the companies and it is free," he said in his speech during the Semarak Kenegaraan programme at the Garrison Hall of the Syed Sirajuddin Camp in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan today.
Anwar added that Malaysia will only incur costs when it comes to repairing the SIC tracks, which he estimated to be up to RM16 million.
"If there is a small expense to repair the track. The track that is currently used for vehicles, motorcycles and others (needs) to be repaired a little... I estimate it will cost about RM10 to 16 million.
"When other countries hosted the race, it was suggested that the cost to be between hundreds of millions or a minimum of RM1 billion.
"We have been asked to spend RM16 million (to repair the track that will) be the focus of all the world's famous racers, the most sophisticated vehicles in the world, and thousands of engineers who will fly to Sepang, Malaysia," he said.
Anwar noted that the selection of Malaysia to host F1 from many countries that were studied was also due to three factors.
"There are dozens, if not more, countries that they are considering. First, the country must be peaceful. Second, the business is good and efficient. Third, the infrastructure is better," he said.
Yesterday, F1 announced that Malaysia will host the race which was scheduled to be held at the Bahrain International Circuit will now be held at the SIC in October.
The announcement marked the first time in F1 history that a race has been relocated to another country after being cancelled.
F1 said the event, subject to final agreements and official sign-off, including approval by the World Motor Sport Council, will be held under its original title, the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, in Malaysia.
The agreement between Formula One, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, and the Malaysian and Bahraini governments will allow the race to proceed after it was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Information on ticket sales is expected to be announced at a later date.
SIC hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar due to rising organisation costs and sanctioning fees.
