A number of new venues have emerged and are in fierce competition for the right to host F1. Cities invest millions and pay millions just to bring the world’s most popular circus to their backyard. The current popularity of F1 is similar. Las Vegas and Miami were recently added to the calendar as street circuits. Now, another old venue is planning a comeback, with Madrid already given the green light. We are talking about the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Malaysian Grand Prix has not been held since 2017, but will receive a big push to become part of the calendar again in 2026.

Reuters report The track, which currently hosts MotoGP and other motorsport competitions, signals a resurgence. The venue was scrapped only because of sluggish ticket sales and the rising cost of hosting an F1 Grand Prix. However, the scenario has now changed and the truck will receive huge financial backing from title sponsor Mercedes.

Kuala Lumpur-based oil and gas company National Petroleum Limited (also known as Petronas) is the driving force behind reintroducing the Malaysian Grand Prix to the F1 calendar. With Petronas recently securing the naming rights to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), Mercedes’ title sponsor is aiming to be part of a packed 2026 calendar. Returning F1 to the circuit under the Petronas name would therefore be of great interest to the team, which already has a presence in the sport with Mercedes since 2013.

The plan was revealed on Tuesday at an internal meeting led by Tengku Mohammad Tawfik Tengku Aziz, the company’s president and chief executive officer, the people said on condition of anonymity. The race also tested its place on the 2022 calendar. However, Malaysia’s sports minister refuted the idea of ​​classifying the organizers’ duties as: “too high” And to explain in detail, “If we could hold an F1 race we would already have one, but at the moment we can’t afford to hold a race.”

However, Petronas has secured naming rights for three years from October 2023 and will be pushing hard to bring F1 back to Malaysia. It remains to be seen whether Mercedes’ title sponsors will be able to attract a circus to their city at the moment, but if they manage to secure a spot in their busy calendar, it’s unclear what to expect from Lewis Hamilton’s words. You’ll understand if you rent it.

Lewis Hamilton reveals his experience at his first Malaysian Grand Prix

Hamilton has been in the circus for 16 years before starting racing in 2024. Having been in the sport for many years, this Brit has seen it all, experienced it all and made it to the top. So by asking someone with this much experience what the toughest race they’ve ever raced, you can gain insight not only into their career, but also into the characteristics of the track.

This is exactly why the Malaysian GP is so memorable. Because Hamilton confessed about racing from his debut season: “I think it was the toughest race.”

“I ran my first race here in 2007 and lost, and I think I weighed 4 1/2 kilograms or something like that, maybe more.The enormity of the physical sacrifice he endured becomes clear as he further explains: “I could barely stand up. It was a killer. What a difficult circuit. I miss racing here.” he added.

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Hamilton has confirmed this in 2023, so perhaps by 2026 his team’s title sponsor Petronas may once again fulfill his wish to race in Malaysia. Whether he stays at Mercedes or in the sport until 2026 is a completely different story.