By Dr Rahim Said
Malaysia didn’t claw its way back into Formula One — it tripped over it like a forgotten durian in the fridge. Bahrain paid hundreds of millions to host the Grand Prix, then decided the region was too hot to handle.
So, like a nervous landlord, they handed the keys to Sepang. We’re not hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix; we’re babysitting it!
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim beams that Malaysia will spend only RM10–16 million to prep Sepang. That’s less than the cost of a single government seminar on “digital transformation” and far cheaper than the RM1 billion some countries torch just to watch cars chase their own tails. For once, Malaysia is the thrifty aunt at the Formula One garage sale.
The official spin is that this proves “international confidence in Malaysia’s stability.” Let’s be real: we’re the rebound fling. F1 didn’t come back because we’re irresistible; it came back because Bahrain got cold feet. We’re the safe option, the convenient substitute, the friend you call when your real date cancels.
Security, of course, will be “a priority.” The armed forces, police, Immigration, and Customs will mobilise to ensure Lewis Hamilton’s luggage doesn’t get stuck at KLIA.
But irony is our true victory. For years, we begged F1 to return, only to be told we weren’t glamorous enough. Now, thanks to Bahrain’s jitters, we’re back in the spotlight — not because we dazzled, but because we were available.
So, let’s embrace it. Market it honestly: “Malaysia Grand Prix — Sponsored by Bahrain’s Regret.” If we’re going to be the accidental host, we might as well own the punchline.
The views expressed here are entirely those of the writer
WE