Close Mercedes sponsor Petronas is now trying to revive the Malaysian GP with plans evolving for F1 to return to the iconic Sepang International Circuit in the 2026 season.
Formula 1 visited Malaysia from 1999 to 2017 but the Sepang International Circuit could not afford to renew its contract. Rising costs and a declining audience ensured that the country’s tourism and culture department could not stage a race, along with its annual MotoGP round.
Ferrari were often a race-winning force through the Malaysian GP’s time on the F1 calendar with seven wins from 19 races. Red Bull also sealed five wins at the Hermann Tilke-designed track. No driver won the Malaysian GP more often than Sebastian Vettel who took four wins.
Petronas is working to revive the F1 Malaysian GP from 2026
Now, after what will be a nine-year hiatus, the Malaysian GP could return to the F1 calendar in 2026. Reuters reports that Malaysia’s state oil company Petroliam Nasional – often known as Petronas – is striving to revive the race. It has also announced its interest to the company.
Petronas president and chief executive Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz is leading the Fortune 500 company’s efforts to bring Formula 1 back to Malaysia. He confirmed Petronas’ intentions during a company townhall on Tuesday – January 30 – sources have told Reuters.
Petronas is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, 45km north of the Sepang International Circuit, and won a three-year naming rights deal for the track last October. Now, it hopes to couple that deal by securing the return of the Formula 1 Malaysian GP, starting in the 2026 season.
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The Sepang International Circuit was widely-adored whilst in F1
Petronas has remained closely affiliated with Formula 1 since the last Malaysian GP in 2017 that Max Verstappen won. The oil brand has been a primary sponsor of the Mercedes team since the German automotive giants returned to the Formula 1 grid during the 2010 season.
Now, Petronas may bring a widely-adored track back to F1 by reviving the Malaysian GP. The Sepang International Circuit was loved by fans and drivers during its time on the calendar as it promoted great racing. The 2009 drivers’ champion, Jenson Button, especially admired it.
“Sepang has some great opportunities for overtaking,” Button once stated, via quotes by F1 Technical. “Turn one is a good chance, along with the right-hander at Langkawi and the left-hander at Berjaya Tioman.”
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