Sepang:Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today attended the Formula One (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying session at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), where he inspected the preparations and overall conduct of the race.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar arrived at the circuit at about 4.50 pm and was welcomed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Petronas President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, SIC Chairman Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, and other dignitaries.

During his visit, Anwar took a 15-minute tour of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team pit. He later attended a welcome dinner hosted by Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, at the paddock.

The F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia began yesterday with the first and second free practice sessions, continuing today with the third free practice session and qualifying. The 56-lap race is scheduled to start at 3 pm tomorrow.

This event marks the return of Formula One to Sepang after a nine-year hiatus, with the last race held there in 2017. In July, Formula 1 and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) confirmed that Malaysia would host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from October 2 to 4, following an agreement between F1, the FIA, and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.

This arrangement allows the Bahrain Grand Prix to stay on the 2026 F1 calendar after the original event could not take place in Bahrain, relocating to Sepang due to the situation in West Asia. The return of Formula One to Malaysia resulted from discussions and cooperation between His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, as well as the two governments.

Formula One first debuted at Sepang in 1999, with the circuit hosting the Malaysian Grand Prix until 2017.