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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Tickets priced as low as RM200 for Malaysians to watch the 2026 Gulf Air Bahrain Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from Oct 2-4 represent an exceptionally worthwhile offer, said former SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali. He said the special MADANI Ticket price for MyKad holders would give more Malaysians the opportunity to watch a world-class motorsport event, especially after F1 was last held in Malaysia nine years ago. “This is an exceptional event and it is really good for Malaysians. Alhamdulillah, PMX (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) was able to announce the MADANI Ticket (priced as low as) RM200 because we do not know when Malaysia will host F1 again,” he told Bernama. Razlan said the overwhelming response to ticket sales for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia was not surprising, given that F1 is returning to Malaysia after the last race was held here in 2017, as well as the emergence of new fans who were introduced to the sport through the popular Netflix documentary series ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’. First released in 2019, the documentary series offered fans something they had rarely seen before by providing a behind-the-scenes look at life in F1, attracting millions of new viewers to the world of motorsport. Earlier today, Anwar said the RM200 ticket price for MyKad holders followed the government’s consideration several weeks ago to offer MADANI Tickets in conjunction with the F1 race this October. According to information recently published on the official Bahrain GP website, MyKad holders are eligible for special prices across six seating categories, ranging from RM200 to RM2,083. The most affordable option is the G Hillstand at RM200, while tickets for the B Hillstand and C Hillstand are priced at RM809.60 each. For grandstand seating, tickets are priced at RM1,291.40 for the F Grandstand, RM1,386 for the K1 Grandstand and RM2,083.40 for the Main Grandstand. Prices for foreign fans are considerably higher, with three-day tickets listed on the website at USD565.40 for the Main Grandstand, USD376.20 for the K1 Grandstand and USD350.90 for the F Grandstand, while tickets for the B Hillstand and C Hillstand are USD220 each. The Main Grandstand, K1 Grandstand and F Grandstand offer seating as well as rooftop viewing areas, while the B, C and G Hillstands are open, grass-covered areas. Asked whether the overwhelming response was a positive signal for Malaysia to host an F1 race again in the future, Razlan said the return of the prestigious motorsport event should be leveraged more comprehensively by attracting foreign tourists to stay longer in the country. “It is more than just spectators coming to the circuit. We need to think about how to maximise this event for three days or even five days. “To attract foreign spectators to Malaysia, it should not just be for three days, but for five or seven days of holidaying and spending in Malaysia. We could also organise side events such as business forums or investment forums that could, to some extent, generate greater excitement around the F1 event here,” he said. He said Malaysia needed to look at Singapore’s model, which has hosted F1 races since 2008, and achieve at least 70 per cent of what its neighbouring country has done, such as concerts and exhibitions, before reinvesting in motorsport could be considered worthwhile. Meanwhile, sports observer Datuk Pekan Ramli said that besides the affordable MADANI Ticket prices, the ticket prices offered to foreign visitors were also very good. “Although this is not our GP, Malaysia is expected to benefit in terms of spectator spending, including on hotels and transportation. In addition, this one-off race can also enhance Malaysia’s image as a host of motorsport events,” he said. Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) previously announced that the 2026 Bahrain GP would be held at SIC from Oct 2-4, through cooperation between Malaysia and Bahrain. The Bahrain GP was originally scheduled to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit in April, before being postponed to October following geopolitical tensions in West Asia. SIC hosted the Malaysian GP from 1999 to 2017, before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar due to rising hosting costs and licensing fees. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial