Kuala Lumpur : Dr. Waleed Khalifa Al Manea, Ambassador to Malaysia, affirmed that hosting the 2026 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit marks a significant milestone in Bahrain–Malaysia relations and reflects the high level of trust and cooperation between the two countries.
The ambassador said the agreement to host the race is the result of the strong ties between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, King of Malaysia, which have continued to strengthen bilateral cooperation, most recently through the Malaysian King’s state visit to Bahrain in 2025.
He also highlighted the close communication between His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Excellency Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, noting that their coordination helped facilitate the arrangements for hosting the event.
Dr. Al Manea said selecting the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit reflects confidence in Malaysia’s extensive experience in hosting Formula 1 events. He added that Bahrain seeks to stage the race according to the highest international standards, showcasing the Kingdom’s leadership in motorsport alongside Malaysia’s reputation for hosting world-class sporting events.
He emphasised that the significance of the event extends beyond sport, creating opportunities to strengthen cooperation in tourism, aviation, transport, investment, hospitality, and media. In this regard, he noted that the launch of direct Gulf Air flights between Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur ahead of the race will support travel and further enhance connectivity between the two countries.
The ambassador added that Bahrain–Malaysia ties are built on longstanding historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties, and that hosting the Grand Prix provides an opportunity to deepen engagement between the two countries while encouraging collaboration among businesses, cultural institutions, youth organisations, and media outlets.
He affirmed that the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Malaysia will continue supporting preparations for the event through close coordination with the relevant authorities in both countries, while organising accompanying activities to highlight Bahrain’s cultural, economic, and tourism sectors.
The ambassador also welcomed the positive response from the Malaysian public following the announcement, noting that Formula 1’s return to the Sepang Circuit after nine years has generated significant interest among motorsport fans and provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between the Bahraini and Malaysian peoples.
Dr. Al Manea expressed appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, HE Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, the Malaysian government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the management of the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit for their cooperation and commitment to hosting the race. He reaffirmed the continued joint efforts of both countries to ensure the success of the global event and further strengthen Bahrain–Malaysia ties.
