Kuala Lumpur:The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, arrived in Malaysia today for a special visit aligned with the Formula One (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit, which begins today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prince Salman's special aircraft landed at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, at 12 pm. The Crown Prince was greeted by members of the Johor royal family, including Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Sultan Ibrahim, and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj Sultan Ibrahim.

Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Mohammed Taufiq Johari and Bahrain's Ambassador to Malaysia Dr. Waleed Khalifa Al Manea were also in attendance. Additionally, Chief of Protocol Ambassador Mohd Ikram Ibrahim, Chief of Government Ceremonies in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Rozainor Ramli, and Grand Chamberlain of Istana Negara Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini marked the occasion.

Upon his arrival, Prince Salman reviewed a guard of honour presented by 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment, led by Captain Muhamad Thabrani Mohamad Sharudin.

The Sepang International Circuit has been selected to host the 2026 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. This decision comes after Malaysia was confirmed as the race host from October 2 to 4, following an agreement involving Formula 1, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain. The agreement ensures the Bahrain GP remains on the 2026 F1 calendar after its earlier cancellation due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang from 1999 to 2017. The race's return is attributed to successful diplomatic efforts between Malaysia's King, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, and King Hamad Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain.