Petronas has confirmed that Formula 1 is not returning to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit in a media statement released on January 31, 2024. The statement was made in response to speculation and reports that Formula 1 will be returning to the circuit come 2026.
The press statement reads, “Petronas refers to the news reports published on 31 January 2024 on the potential return of the Formula One Grand Prix to Sepang, Malaysia, in 2026. We would like to confirm that there have been no discussions on bringing the sport back to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit.”
In an earlier report by Reuters, three sources with knowledge of the matter stated that Petronas is looking to bring back Formula 1 to Sepang. The sources say that the matter was revealed by Petronas’ President and Chief Executive Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz during a town hall session. Petronas has since then officially denied the speculation.
The last Formula 1 race hosted in Sepang was back in 2017. The circuit still hosts other races such as endurance races, GT races, and MotoGP races. In late 2023, Petronas acquired the naming rights to the international circuit. The naming right lasts for three years and the circuit is currently known as the Petronas Sepang International Circuit.
