SIC Seeks Fair Solution for Event Organisers Affected Following F1 GP Bahrain

SEPANG: The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is working to find a fair solution for affected event organisers, following the need to prepare the circuit for the Formula 1 (F1) Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia from 2 to 4 October.

SIC Chief Executive Officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the circuit is in discussions with existing customers who had made bookings to use the circuit prior to the announcement of Malaysia as the replacement host for the race.

He said SIC will strive to minimise the circuit closure period before the race, in order to reduce the impact on the planned events calendar.

Azhan Shafriman said so far, two races are expected to be affected: the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) and the Thailand Super Series (TSS).

“We are in discussions with existing customers, whether to reschedule the dates or how to proceed. It’s not a simple matter because it affects the entire racing calendar.

“I have contacted them before the announcement was made on Sunday and we are trying to find the best way forward,” he told reporters recently.

Azhan said typically SIC closes the circuit about 10 days before the Malaysian MotoGP, but for F1, the closure period is expected to be between two weeks or slightly longer, to allow all preparations according to the specified specifications to be completed.

He said many things that are normally done over a year now need to be completed within about two months.

“If the circuit closure period can be limited to around two weeks, the ARRC can still proceed as planned, but further negotiations are needed if F1 preparations require a longer period.

“We will try to shorten the circuit closure period,” he said.

Last Sunday, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host for the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix following an agreement signed between Formula 1, the FIA, and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.

The event scheduled to take place at SIC will retain its original name, the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix in Malaysia, subject to finalised agreements and official approvals, including from the World Motor Sport Council.

The agreement allows the Bahrain Grand Prix to remain on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, after the race was cancelled earlier this season following geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the Formula 1 calendar.

BERNAMA