Confusion grows over Sepang's 'Bahrain GP' ticket prices
Petronas has moved to distance itself from ticketing chaos at Sepang, insisting Bahrain alone controls prices and revenue for October's relocated Malaysian round.
Confusion has already erupted over ticket sales and costs for Formula 1's relocated Bahrain GP at Sepang.
Malaysia will host the Bahrain GP in early October, with the unusual arrangement triggering strong local demand - but Petronas stressed that its name on the circuit does not make it responsible for the event.
"As Petronas is not the event organiser, it does not manage, control, or have access to ticket allocation, sales, or distribution," it said in a statement.
"Ticket sales is managed solely by the event organiser and its authorised channels."
Sepang chief executive Azhan Shafriman Hanif confirmed that Bahrain will control ticket prices and retain the revenue.
"All the ticket sales revenue will go back to Bahrain, so we don't have the absolute power to determine certain things," he said.
"I will try my best to negotiate for a special price ... for Malaysians, but the final decision is with Bahrain because they are paying the rights fee."
Azhan said Sepang and Bahrain will share operational costs.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, however, said Malaysia's own direct expenditure would be limited to circuit work and maintenance.
"This time, we are organising without paying registration fees to the company - it's free," he said.
Azhan said Formula 1's first inspection found no major obstacle and that the circuit will not require resurfacing, although runoff areas and infrastructure will be upgraded during the short preparation window.
"In the past, we had to work hard to sell tickets," he said.
"Today, Formula 1 has built a huge global fan base and created a fear of missing out. Since the announcement, we've received enquiries on sponsorships, festivals and commercial activities."
"It's a good problem to have."
Azhan said talks about a permanent return to the calendar will wait until after the one-off race.
"We'll focus on delivering this event first," Azhan said.
"If we gain the confidence of all stakeholders and produce something special, then perhaps we can look at the future."
Calendar pressure mounts
F1 is determined to complete at least 22 races to avoid possible claims from broadcasters, sponsors and commercial partners, while Imola and even a second race in Brazil have reportedly been discussed as further emergency options.
Concerns about the remaining Gulf rounds have intensified after WEC cancelled its planned Qatar and Bahrain finales because of the Middle East conflict.
Those races have been replaced by events at Barcelona and Monza.
Relocated race factbox
| Relocated race | Bahrain GP → Sepang International Circuit |
|---|---|
| Date | Early October 2026 |
| Ticket revenue | Retained by Bahrain organisers |
| 2026 calendar target | 22 races |
See also: 2026 F1 calendar on F1-Fansite.
Related: Domenicali keeps Imola in reserve as Bahrain GP moves
One F1 fan comment on “Confusion grows over Sepang's 'Bahrain GP' ticket prices”
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The only reason for this one-off return is a third party paying for it on behalf of Malaysia, as the Malaysian government has been unkeen on a full-time return since the 2027 departure.
15 should be the minimum requirement for broadcasting fees, given the established in 2020, & another Brazil round hasn’t been under consideration at all, because two separate trips to the same flyaway location within a month would be excessive & impossible logistically.
Istanbul Park & Algarve apparently have facility renovations ahead of their planned 2027 return, so they’re a no-go for an earlier-than-planned return.
Montmelo is still an option, & more favorable than Imola at that time of year, & so is Jerez, which clearly hasn’t been under consideration any more than in the COVID era, although it should be.