Anwar praises drivers, teams for ‘incredible action’ at Sepang F1 race

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim waves as he attends the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit on October 4, 2026, accompanied by an aide holding an umbrella — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 05 Oct 2026 8:56 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit as a deeply meaningful memory for sports fans from around the world.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Anwar said the magnificent action delivered by all the drivers and teams also made the race full of excitement and intense competition.

“Thank you to all the drivers and teams for the incredible action presented to fans from around the world, making the race in Sepang this time a truly meaningful memory,” he said in the post.

Anwar, along with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, also presented trophies to the drivers and teams that triumphed in the race.

He also congratulated Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton, as well as the Red Bull Racing team, on their achievements.

Last July, F1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the 2026 Gulf Air Bahrain GP from October 2 to 4 following an agreement between Formula 1, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.

Although the circuit was drenched by rain, the excitement in the grandstands did not wane in the slightest, reflecting how deeply fans missed F1 after nine years of the sport’s absence from Malaysia. — Bernama