KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas has swiftly dismissed rumours regarding the potential revival of the Formula One Grand Prix in Malaysia by 2026.
A wire news report today, which cited three unnamed sources, claimed that the plan to bring back the race was revealed during a recent Petronas company townhall meeting.
In an official statement, the energy company clarified, "Petronas refers to the news reports published on 31 January 2024 on the potential return of the Formula One Grand Prix to Sepang, Malaysia, in 2026,"
"We would like to confirm that there have been no discussions on bringing the sport back to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit."
Sepang International Circuit chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif had also denied the rumours earlier today.
The Sepang Circuit, which hosted Formula One races from 1999 to 2017, decided to discontinue hosting the event after 2017 due to a combination of declining popularity and the substantial costs associated with organising the race.
Rumours of the race making a comeback to Malaysia have surfaced almost every year since 2018, yet none have materialised to date.
