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SHAH ALAM – Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has clarified that it does not manage or control ticket sales for the upcoming Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, despite holding the naming rights to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
The clarification follows growing public interest after Formula One confirmed Malaysia would host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia from Oct 2 to 4, marking the sport's return to Sepang for the first time since 2017.
In a statement on Monday, Petronas said while it holds the naming rights to the circuit, the facility itself is owned by Sepang International Circuit Sdn Bhd, a company under Finance Incorporated Minister (MOF Inc.), and is operated by an agency under the Youth and Sports Minister.
"As Petronas is not the event organiser, it does not manage, control or have access to ticket allocation, sales or distribution.
"Ticket sales are managed solely by the event organiser and its authorised channels," the company said.
The statement was issued following confusion among members of the public, with some assuming Petronas was responsible for ticketing because the venue carries the company's name.
Petronas also reminded fans to obtain tickets only through official channels once sales are announced.
Malaysia was officially confirmed as the host venue for the Bahrain Grand Prix after Formula One, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain reached an agreement to relocate the race following its cancellation earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The race will retain its original title as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, making it the first time in Formula One history that a cancelled Grand Prix will be staged in another country while keeping its original event name.
The return of Formula 1 to Malaysia is the result of successful royal diplomacy, reflecting the close relationship and high level of trust between His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
In a Facebook post on Sultan Ibrahim's official page on Monday, it said that since 2017, their Majesties have enjoyed a close personal friendship, which has continued to strengthen diplomatic ties between Bahrain and Malaysia, culminating in Sultan Ibrahim's state visit to Bahrain in Nov last year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also welcomed Formula One's return to Sepang, saying Malaysia was honoured to support Bahrain in ensuring the race remained on the 2026 calendar.
He said the collaboration reflected the strong relationship between Malaysia and Bahrain, while expressing appreciation to Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman Hamad Al Khalifa, as well as Formula One president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali, for their confidence in Malaysia.
Petronas first acquired the naming rights to the Sepang International Circuit in October 2023 under a three-year partnership agreement, leading to the venue being officially known as the Petronas Sepang International Circuit.
However, the naming rights agreement does not extend to ownership or operational responsibilities for events held at the circuit.
