Sepang:The Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix made a notable return to the Sepang International Circuit after a nine-year hiatus, highlighted by the presence of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. The event drew top leaders from Malaysia, Bahrain, and Brunei to witness the race.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, King Ibrahim was welcomed at approximately 2.15 pm by Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and Prince Abdul Mateen Bolkiah also attended, arriving at around 2.35 pm.

The race was attended by several other dignitaries, including the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah; the Tunku Mahkota of Kedah, Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Sultan Sallehuddin; and the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra. This marked the return of Formula 1 to Sepang, with the last race held in 2017.

Initially scheduled for 3 pm, the race start was delayed due to heavy rain following the playing of Malaysia's national anthem, Negaraku, and Bahrain's national anthem. The event anticipated drawing nearly 100,000 spectators and included a Gulf Air aircraft fly-past before the race commenced.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing was set to start the 56-lap race from pole position. He was followed by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari and current championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG Petronas.

In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the venue for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from October 2 to 4. This followed an agreement between Formula 1, the F©d©ration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain. The collaboration between King Ibrahim and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa played a crucial role in retaining the Bahrain Grand Prix on the 2026 calendar after the race's earlier cancellation due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Malaysia was previously the host of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang from 1999 to 2017 before it was removed from the F1 calendar.