Malaysia's state oil company Petronas, is "looking to bring back" F1 races to the Southeast Asian nation in 2026 after a nine-year hiatus, according to sources. The country staged its last race in 2017 "due to declining ticket sales and rising costs of hosting the event." Petronas won naming rights to the Sepang International Circuit for three years in October last year, and the circuit "continues to host MotoGP races and other motorsport events." Petronas' plan to bring back the F1 race "was revealed during a company townhall" led by the firm's President & CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz yesterday. The sources "did not elaborate on the reasons for the return." Petronas has been a sponsor of the Mercedes F1 team since 2010 ( REUTERS, 1/30 ).
Petronas eyes renewed Malaysian F1 race in '26
