‘But it’s going to be in Malaysia!’ Bahrain GP boss reveals shock phone call that sent F1 race to Sepang“但比赛最终会在马来西亚举行！”巴林大奖赛负责人透露，一通令人震惊的电话导致F1比赛最终移师雪邦赛道。
SEPANG, Oct 3 — The decision to stage the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this year came as a complete surprise to Bahrain...
The unexpected decision to host the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit this year was announced by Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, much to the surprise of Bahrain International Circuit's CEO, Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa.
This arrangement, which underscores the strong diplomatic ties between Bahrain and Malaysia, sees the return of a major racing event to Sepang, a former Formula 1 host.
The event, confirmed by Formula 1 and the FIA, also reflects both nations' governmental support, helping to ensure the Bahrain GP remains on the 2026 F1 calendar despite regional tensions.
The race will take place this weekend, with expectations of delivering a remarkable experience for global fans.
SEPANG, Oct 3 — The decision to stage the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this year came as a complete surprise to Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) chief executive Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa.
Sheikh Salman said he learned of the plan on a phone call as he was leaving the 2026 Belgian GP at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium, last July.
Recalling how the Bahrain Grand Prix came to be held at SIC this year, Sheikh Salman said it was Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman Hamad Al Khalifa, who called to inform him the race would be held in Malaysia.
“It’s a very interesting one. I got a phone call from His Royal Highness while I was leaving Spa, and he’s like, ‘Hi Salman, just want to let you know, the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is happening this year.’
“I was like, ‘Yes!’ ‘...but it’s going to be in Malaysia. I’m on a flight, I’ll call you when I land,’” he said in an interview with international media recently.
Sheikh Salman said the decision took some deliberation at first, but the strong ties between Bahrain and Malaysia, combined with Sepang’s pedigree as a former Formula 1 host, ultimately made the arrangement a natural fit.
He also lauded Malaysia and SIC, which hosted Formula 1 from 1999 to 2017, for bringing the race back to the iconic circuit this weekend.
“I mean, Malaysia’s fantastic. We’ve watched great racing here over the years,” he said.
In July, Formula 1 confirmed that Malaysia would play host to the Gulf Air Bahrain GP from October 2 to 4, under an agreement struck between Formula 1, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
The deal keeps the Bahrain GP alive on the 2026 F1 calendar after the race was scrapped earlier this season amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The race’s staging at Sepang, Prince Salman said in July, was made possible with the blessings of the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, and Malaysia’s King, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, a testament to the close and brotherly ties between the two nations.
“I am proud to join Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in announcing that Bahrain will host the GP at the SIC. This will be a wonderful experience for fans around the world and reflects Bahrain’s enduring commitment to, and passion for, the sport,” Prince Salman was quoted as saying.
The qualifying session will be held at 4pm later today, while the race starts at 3 pm tomorrow. — Bernama
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巴林王储兼首相宣布今年将在马来西亚雪邦国际赛道举办海湾航空巴林大奖赛，这一出人意料的决定令巴林国际赛道首席执行官谢赫·萨勒曼·伊萨·阿勒哈利法大为惊讶。
这项安排凸显了巴林和马来西亚之间牢固的外交关系，也标志着一项重要的赛车赛事重返雪邦赛道，雪邦赛道曾是F1方程式赛车的举办地。
一级方程式和国际汽联确认的这一赛事也体现了两国政府的支持，有助于确保巴林大奖赛尽管地区局势紧张，仍能留在 2026 年 F1 赛历上。
比赛将于本周末举行，预计将为全球车迷带来非凡的体验。
雪邦，10 月 3 日——今年海湾航空巴林大奖赛（GP）将在雪邦国际赛道（SIC）举行，这一决定令巴林国际赛道（BIC）首席执行官谢赫·萨勒曼·伊萨·哈利法感到非常意外。
谢赫·萨勒曼表示，去年七月，当他离开位于比利时斯塔沃洛的斯帕-弗朗科尔尚赛道，观看 2026 年比利时大奖赛时，他接到一个电话，得知了这项计划。
谢赫·萨勒曼回忆起今年巴林大奖赛是如何在沙特国际赛道举办的，他说，是巴林王储兼首相萨勒曼·哈马德·阿勒哈利法亲王打电话通知他，比赛将在马来西亚举行。
“这真是件很有意思的事。我离开斯帕赛道的时候，接到了殿下的电话，他说：‘你好，萨尔曼，只是想告诉你，今年的海湾航空巴林大奖赛将如期举行。’”
“我当时就想，‘好啊！’……但是地点在马来西亚。我现在在飞机上，落地后我会给你打电话，”他最近在接受国际媒体采访时说道。
谢赫·萨勒曼表示，起初这个决定需要一些深思熟虑，但巴林和马来西亚之间的紧密联系，加上雪邦赛道作为一级方程式赛车前举办地的历史地位，最终使这项安排水到渠成。
他还赞扬了马来西亚和雪兰莪国际赛道（SIC），该赛道曾于 1999 年至 2017 年举办过一级方程式赛车，并于本周末将比赛带回这条标志性的赛道。
“我的意思是，马来西亚太棒了。这些年来，我们在这里欣赏到了精彩的赛车比赛，”他说。
7 月，一级方程式赛车确认，根据一级方程式赛车、国际汽车联合会 (FIA) 以及马来西亚和巴林政府达成的协议，马来西亚将于 10 月 2 日至 4 日举办海湾航空巴林大奖赛。
由于西亚地缘政治紧张局势，本赛季早些时候巴林大奖赛被取消，而这项协议使得巴林大奖赛得以继续出现在 2026 年 F1 赛历上。
萨勒曼王子在7月份表示，在巴林国王哈马德·伊萨·阿勒哈利法陛下和马来西亚国王苏丹易卜拉欣陛下的祝福下，比赛得以在雪邦举行，这证明了两国之间紧密的兄弟情谊。
“我很荣幸与拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣共同宣布，巴林将在雪兰莪国际赛道举办大奖赛。这对世界各地的车迷来说将是一次绝佳的体验，也体现了巴林对这项运动的持久投入和热情，”萨勒曼王子说道。
排位赛将于今天下午4点举行，正赛将于明天下午3点开始。——马新社
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