- 2017 was the last F1 race held in Malaysia (Sepang International Circuit).
- Due to the instability in the Middle East, the scheduled Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Malaysia last weekend (2-4 Oct 2026).
- A quick Internet search blew my mind; the attendance went more than double from 110K in 2017 to 260K in 2026.
- By comparison, the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2025 pulled 105K attendance.
- I personally attribute this huge jump to 3Ms- media, money & masses.
- Media – the Netflix documentary, “Drive To Survive” which first aired in 2019 and currently at it’s 8th season
- Money – the rise of disposable income especially for the lower and middle income. Also the currency exchange in Malaysia is not as high as the next F1 in Singapore.
- Masses – the number of people in the South East Asia region just waiting to be in one. The 2026 F1 calendar only have Singapore as the host country in SEA.
- Unfortunately the exchange rate would have deterred most lower income countries fans to go. SGD1 = RM3.19 vs AUD1 = RM2.85. Go figure.
- There are already talks of returning the F1 back to Sepang. How exciting!
Until then, stay hungry, stay safe.
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