‘Dedicated lanes, smooth queues’: F1 fans praise improved crowd and traffic management at Sepang Circuit

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 driver Kimi Antonelli during free practice for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit October 2, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 03 Oct 2026 1:47 PM MYT

SEPANG, Oct 3 — Formula 1 (F1) fans have praised the improved crowd and traffic management at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) here today, following congestion and long queues reported after yesterday’s opening day of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.

Several fans took to social media to highlight smoother queues, dedicated lanes for shuttle buses and a stronger presence of staff, marshals and police to manage crowds and traffic.

A Threads user, @tanissha_.26, commended the arrangements, particularly the dedicated lanes and improved coordination for shuttle buses.

“Good job on crowd control today. Smooth queue, no tug of war. Dedicated lane for shuttle buses. Shut off the exit for only shuttle buses, tons of crew, marshall, police, proper instructions and control

Thank you so much for taking in control,” the user said.

Another user, @edadoodle, praised the queue management and assistance provided by staff at the KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) Transit station and shuttle point.

“Thank you @malaysiaairports the line is super fast, so much bus queueing up for us and there’s a lot of staff guiding us from the KLIA Transit train station to the shuttle point. I lined up at 9.15am and already on the way to @sepangcircuit by 9.25am,” it said.

Meanwhile, @nnhs_nadhirah described today’s arrangements as more orderly compared with yesterday and hoped it will stay the same when they leave the venue later today.

Another visitor, @ryanmahowlett, also noted a significant improvement upon arriving at SIC this morning.

“Arrived at Sepang this morning. Much better organisation. Shuttle buses have their own dedicated lanes, lots of traffic police organising traffic, crowds a lot less. Much better,” it said.

The positive reactions came a day after social media users had earlier highlighted congestion upon leaving SIC, with some reporting lengthy waits for shuttle buses to parking areas and nearby transport hubs.

The reports prompted calls for more efficient traffic management, increased shuttle bus capacity and closer coordination of public transport services to handle the large crowds attending the event.

Meanwhile, a social media post showed SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif on the ground earlier today, overseeing and assisting with the flow of buses to the iconic venue.

The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, which marks F1’s return to SIC for the first time since 2017, continues today with the final practice session and qualifying session before the 56-lap race tomorrow.

In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the Gulf Air Bahrain GP from Oct 2 to 4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.

The agreement keeps the Bahrain GP on the 2026 F1 calendar after the race was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Malaysia hosted the Malaysian GP at SIC from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar. — Bernama