Motorists heading to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this weekend are being advised to plan their journeys ahead, with police introducing traffic controls, checkpoints and parking restrictions to manage the expected influx of Formula 1 fans.
The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 will take place at Sepang from Oct 2 to 4, marking Formula 1’s return to the circuit for the first time since 2017. The race weekend begins on Friday with practice sessions, followed by qualifying on Saturday and the 56-lap Grand Prix on Sunday at 3pm.
According to the KLIA District Police Chief, eight checkpoints will be established around KLIA and the Sepang circuit area as part of measures to regulate traffic flow and facilitate the movement of spectators.
The controls are intended to minimise congestion around one of the country’s busiest transport corridors, with large crowds expected to travel to the circuit throughout the three-day event.
Separately, Selangor police said an integrated security and traffic operation will involve 822 personnel, comprising 756 police officers and personnel and 66 Road Transport Department officers. The operation will run from 8am to 11pm daily throughout the race weekend.
Traffic management around the circuit will be divided into three zones covering areas within two kilometres, three to five kilometres, and six kilometres or more from SIC.
SIC has also advised that motorcycles will not be permitted inside the circuit grounds during the event and riders will instead be directed to designated motorcycle parking areas.
Motorists have also been warned against parking along road shoulders or in areas that could obstruct traffic, with enforcement action, including summonses or towing, possible for vehicles causing obstructions.
Some 9,000 parking bays across 17 parking areas will be available within the SIC complex, while shuttle buses and e-hailing services are expected to supplement private vehicle access during the weekend.
Fans travelling from the south via federal roads may be directed through alternative routes including Jalan Sepang-Salak Tinggi-Dengkil, Jalan Kuarters KLIA and the KLIA ring roads as authorities seek to distribute traffic away from congested approaches.
The race is being staged at Sepang under the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia name following an agreement involving Formula 1, the FIA and the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia, bringing top-level Formula 1 racing back to Malaysia nine years after Sepang last hosted a championship round.
