Petronas, Malaysia’s state oil company and a title sponsor of Mercedes, will try to get the Malaysian Grand Prix back on the Formula 1 calendar for the 2026 season, Reuters reports. The race disappeared from the calendar after 2017 and has since struggled to get enough funding to organize another Grand Prix. Reuters sources could not explain why Petronas wants to bring another race to the country now.
The Malaysian Grand Prix disappeared from the Formula 1 calendar after the 2017 season. The race at the Sepang International Circuit was scheduled for nineteen consecutive seasons in 2018 in the premier class of motorsport, but due to sky-high costs and the fact that few tickets were sold, its place on the calendar was lost. There have been more rumors in recent years about the return of the Malaysian Grand Prix. An investment from Petronas should get this over the line.
“Petronas’ plan to bring back Formula 1 racing was unveiled at a company meeting chaired by the company’s President and Chief Executive Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz,” Reuters reports. However, no talking to the media was allowed afterwards. Petronas is crucial for the return of the race at the Sepang International Circuit. After all, Malaysia’s sports minister indicated last year that organizing a Grand Prix would be too expensive.
Verstappen won the last edition
Max Verstappen managed to win the very last edition of the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver started from third place, but the Dutchman already took first place on the fourth lap. He had to leave this to then teammate Daniel Ricciardo for a moment, before the Australian also made his pit stop. Lewis Hamilton tried to make it a fight, but in the end Verstappen crossed the line with a lead of twelve seconds.
