#NSTviral: F1 fans demand Malaysia's permanent return to the F1 calendar

KUALA LUMPUR: The roar of Formula One engines at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has reignited a global clamour for Malaysia's permanent return to the F1 calendar.

Fans and commentators online declared the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia one of the best races of the season and called on the sport's organisers to make a return.

Social media was flooded with tributes to the SIC in the hours after the chequered flag yesterday, with the overwhelming sentiment being that Malaysia should never have left the calendar and should not be allowed to leave again.

F1 commentator Matt Gallagher captured the mood succinctly in a post on X that drew more than 24,000 likes: "Petition to have Malaysia on the calendar every year till the end of time."

Motorsport outlet The Race leaned into the euphoria with a satirical "proposed 2027 F1 calendar" — listing all 24 grand prix weekends as being held in Malaysia, to the delight of fans who flooded the post with approving replies.

User @atrocidadcasera proposed a similar solution: "Listen all I'm saying is we could have many countries host their GPs in Malaysia.

"We could have the Spanish GP in Malaysia. We could have the Miami GP in Malaysia. We could even have the Monaco GP in Malaysia. Sepang, I love you."

Beyond the jokes, more measured voices made a substantive case for Sepang's return.

User Stefan wrote: "We need this track back on the calendar. Might have been the best race of the season so far? It's not just a drivers track, it's a racing track. So, so good.

"I hope the Malaysian government can work something out to make it financially viable, we need Sepang desperately."

User Paul McGinnes was equally effusive: "Now this... this is a proper race track. The 2026 Bahrain GP at the Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia, was absolutely fantastic.

"It was a special event and the fans broke new records to attend it. I hope this isn't a one-off and that the Malaysian GP makes a return."

Others were more blunt.

User Hunter wrote: "Malaysia should've never been taken off the calendar. I know it's a two-wheel-centred country but it's a great track and one of Tilke's (Hermann Tilke) finest creations.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is actively discussing the possibility of having Malaysia back on the F1 calendar.

The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was triggered by the war in the Middle East, rendering Bahrain and Saudi Arabia unsafe to host F1 races earlier in the season.

The 2026 event, held from Oct 2 to 4, was relocated from Bahrain to Sepang following an agreement involving the Malaysian and Bahrain governments, F1 and the FIA.