Stefano Domenicali hails F1’s Sepang return as rain greets Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Stefano Domenicali has hailed Formula 1’s return to Sepang as an achievement the sport should be proud of, with the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix bringing F1 back to the Malaysian circuit amid rain and a strong crowd ahead of the race.

Speaking to Martin Brundle a few minutes ago during the pre-race grid walk, the Formula 1 President and CEO described the occasion as “amazing” and highlighted both the unusual circumstances surrounding the Bahrain Grand Prix and the response from spectators at Sepang. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also presented the event as evidence that Formula 1 can continue operating when circumstances force it to adapt.

Stefano Domenicali celebrates Bahrain GP at Sepang

For Stefano Domenicali, simply seeing Formula 1 assembled on the grid in Malaysia was significant. “I think it’s amazing [that we’re here],” he told Martin Brundle before the start.

The conditions added another unusual element. Rather than the dry desert environment traditionally associated with the Bahrain Grand Prix, Formula 1 found itself dealing with rain at Sepang.

“This is a new condition for the Bahrain Grand Prix with the rain, but let me say thanks to the president of FIA, thanks to the crown prince of Bahrain,” Stefano Domenicali said.

The circumstances have made the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix one of the most unusual events on the calendar. The Bahrain identity has been retained, but the race is being held at Sepang, giving Formula 1 fans another opportunity to see Grand Prix machinery compete on the demanding Malaysian circuit.

Domenicali points to Sepang crowd after F1’s long absence

Stefano Domenicali placed particular emphasis on Formula 1’s ability to respond to an exceptional situation and on the level of support visible at Sepang after the sport’s long absence from the venue.

“It has been an incredible moment to show that in certain situations we are able to react, and to prove that after 10 years, look at the crowd here. So, we should be very proud of it,” he said.

The significance of that comment goes beyond the location of a single Grand Prix. Formula 1 had to stage an event under conditions very different from those normally associated with Bahrain, while Sepang itself once again had to accommodate the operational demands of a modern Formula 1 weekend.

The former Ferrari team principal did not make any broader commitment about Sepang’s future on the calendar. His comments were instead focused on the successful staging of the current event, the cooperation that made it possible and the response from the spectators.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem sees a wider message for motorsport

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem offered a similarly concise assessment on the grid, focusing on what holding the Grand Prix represented for the championship.

“It is a very clear message. Even with this situation, we still can do motorsport,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.

For Formula 1, the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang has therefore become more than an unusual entry on the 2026 schedule. Before the cars even began racing, both Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem were pointing to the weekend as an example of the championship’s capacity to react to circumstances while still bringing a Grand Prix to fans.

With rain adding another layer of unpredictability to the race itself, Sepang’s Formula 1 return has already delivered a setting very different from a conventional Bahrain Grand Prix — and one that Stefano Domenicali believes the sport has reason to celebrate.