F1 fans hit out at Sepang crowd chaos, facilities

KUALA LUMPUR: Formula One fans have voiced disappointment over crowd management and facilities at the Sepang International Circuit, with some complaining of long queues, inadequate food and beverage outlets and poor crowd control.

One fan said he paid almost RM14,000 for his family to experience the race from the Main Grandstand but was left disappointed by the experience.

In a Threads post, user @siva.wwc said his family had expected a premium experience but instead faced a queue stretching about 1.5km just to enter the circuit.

"Paid almost RM14,000 for my family to experience F1 from the Main Grandstand, expecting a premium experience.

"Instead, we faced a 1.5km queue just to enter, my family ended up dehydrated, and I waited almost an hour under the hot sun just to buy a RM10 mineral water, which was not even cold," he said.

He also criticised the availability of food and beverage outlets, saying there were too few shops to cater to the large crowd, resulting in long queues throughout the venue.

"Paid a premium price, but honestly felt like we were treated like we came in for free. Very disappointing," he said.

The post drew mixed reactions from netizens, with some sharing similar experiences while others debated the challenges of managing large crowds at major sporting events.

User @zeexxjay said he could relate to the complaint, adding that he and his father, who is in his 60s, were also Main Grandstand ticket holders.

"Me and my dad (in his 60s) are both MGS ticket holders. Absurd for us to walk that 1.5 to 2km just to enter the entrance and, after the race, horrible crowd management," he said.

However, some netizens questioned whether Main Grandstand tickets should be considered a premium experience given the large number of spectators with access to the same area.

User @limgt said about 32,000 other people had also paid for Main Grandstand tickets, questioning how "premium" the experience should be expected to be.

"Paddock Club is where the premium is though," the user said.