Sepang:Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today participated in the Pit Lane Walk before the Formula One (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), which will be held from tomorrow until Sunday. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar was joined by Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, SIC Chief Executive Officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif, and Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) Chief Executive Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa. Anwar arrived at about 3.30 pm and was welcomed by the management of SIC and BIC. He was then given a tour of the pit area and met with representatives from both circuits. Following the paddock visit, he assessed the preparations and facilities at the entrance of the 'Mall Area' in anticipation of the fans arriving from tomorrow. During his visit, Anwar also watched a performance rehearsal by the Royal Malay Regiment Central Band and Bahrain Police Band and interacted with volunteers involved in the race. The SIC was chosen as the venue for this year's F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, serving as a temporary host for the prestigious Bahrain race. This opportunity arose after an agreement in July between Formula 1, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and the Malaysian and Bahrain governments confirmed that Malaysia would host the Bahrain GP from October 2 to 4. The agreement allowed the Bahrain GP to remain on the 2026 F1 calendar after it was canceled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Malaysia had previously hosted the Malaysian GP at Sepang from 1999 to 2017. In a Facebook post, Anwar expressed gratitude for the collaboration between SIC and BIC in organizing the F1 event. He also thanked the organizers, staff, and volunteers for their efforts in ensuring the event's successful and safe execution. He hoped that the event would proceed smoothly and create lasting memories for fans and visitors while enhancing Malaysia's prominence o n the global motorsports stage.