Malaysia’s return to the Formula One (F1) spotlight has renewed interest in the Sepang International Circuit, with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team keen to race there again and global lighting technology company Signify ready to provide solutions for a potential night race.
Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord said Malaysia felt somewhat like a home race for the team, recalling the enthusiastic reception from thousands of fans during a promotional event at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the recent Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) in Sepang.
“Yeah, 100%. I know the result wasn’t great in Sepang, but we had an amazing weekend,” he told a media briefing hosted by Mercedes and its lighting technology partner Signify during the recent Singapore GP.
Malaysia hosted the Bahrain GP from Oct 2-4, 2026, after the race was relocated from the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir amid the conflict in West Asia since February. The race had originally been scheduled for April.
Recounting the team’s appearance at the Petronas Twin Towers ahead of the race, Lord said thousands of fans had gathered to welcome Mercedes.
“There were thousands and thousands of people. I was talking to colleagues at Petronas. They were like, you guys locked down the city.
“For us, it feels a little bit like a home race in Malaysia. We’d love to go back. We might ask them to resurface the circuit as well. It would be brilliant to go back,” he said.
Separately, Signify chief executive officer As Tempelman said technological capability would not be an obstacle should Malaysia decide to organise an F1 night race at Sepang.
“I dare say that technology will not be a constraint. So, of course, if there were a night race in Malaysia, I’m sure we can find solutions. I do not doubt it whatsoever,” he told Bernama.
However, Tempelman stressed that any such undertaking would first depend on the intentions of race organisers and the relevant authorities.
“The question is what the organiser and the authorities want from the event. And I think that is the first step that needs to be taken if Malaysia actually wants a night race. But if we were to come to that point, we will make sure to provide the right solution,” he said.
Source: FMT
