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SEPANG – Formula 1’s (F1) long-awaited return to Sepang was met with a record-breaking response as 103,000 fans packed the circuit on race day, pushing total weekend attendance to an extraordinary 261,000.
The numbers marked a stunning comeback for Malaysia, which had been without a F1 race for nine years after Sepang last hosted the championship in 2017.
The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) had previously revealed that race-day attendance during its earlier F1 years typically stood at around 30,000 to 40,000 fans.
But Sunday's turnout more than doubled even the upper end of that previous figure, underlining the scale of demand for F1's return.
Across the Oct 2-4 weekend, 261,000 spectators passed through the circuit, culminating in a race-day crowd of 103,000 for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
The scale of the turnout was reflected throughout the weekend, with packed grandstands and fans continuing to fill the circuit despite heavy rain that disrupted Sunday's race start.
For seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the atmosphere was impossible to miss. After qualifying on the front row, Hamilton was visibly impressed by the response from Malaysian fans.
“Well, I mean, listen to this crowd. I think this is the biggest crowd we've ever seen here, at least in my time of driving,” he said. “I love this energy. Big, big thank you to Malaysia for welcoming us.”
Hamilton's appreciation went beyond the sheer size of the crowd.
After Sunday's race, the Ferrari driver said this was the best race he had experienced at Sepang, particularly because of the support and atmosphere created by the fans.
For a driver who has raced at the circuit throughout his career, the reaction was a significant endorsement of what Malaysia's return meant to the sport.
The rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm. As heavy downpours swept across Sepang and delayed the start by around 100 minutes, thousands of fans remained in the grandstands, waiting for the action to begin.
When the race finally got underway, the atmosphere remained electric. The return also carried significance beyond the track, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledging the enthusiasm surrounding the event.
Speaking to Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle during a live pre-race grid walk, Anwar said the government was discussing the possibility of Malaysia remaining on the F1 calendar.
“Well, I'm looking forward to it. We are discussing,” Anwar said. Despite being soaked by the heavy rain, Anwar said he was excited by the response.
“Oh yes. You see, I'm wet, drenched, but excited. You see, the entire country is rejoicing,” he said.
Anwar later described the Sepang race as a meaningful memory for motor racing fans around the world, praising the drivers and teams for delivering an exciting contest.
He also highlighted the wider economic activity surrounding the event, including the Karnival Litar Rasa Madani, where around 40 local traders sold food and drinks to fans.
The government had agreed with Bahrain, F1 and the FIA to bring the 2026 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix to Sepang, giving Malaysia a one-off opportunity to host F1 again after its nine-year absence.
That opportunity produced a response that went well beyond nostalgia.
The 103,000 race-day attendance and 261,000 weekend attendance showed that the appetite for F1 in Malaysia remains enormous. The challenge now is whether that enthusiasm can translate into a permanent return.
For the fans who filled Sepang this weekend, however, the message was already clear. After nine years away, F1 came back and Malaysia turned up in numbers.
