KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 -- The return of Formula One (F1) racing to Sepang International Circuit (SIC) this October has created a buzz among motorsports fans - marking a thrilling comeback after a nine-year hiatus since Malaysia last hosted the event in 2017.

As Malaysia prepares to reclaim its spot on the global motorsports stage, let's explore how this year's race will differ from previous rounds during Malaysia's extensive history as the host country.

In pure ringgit terms, the 2026 edition - a one-off race with Malaysia stepping in for Bahrain due to disruptions from the US-Iran conflict in West Asia - is shaping up to be a very different financial equation from the 1999-2017 era.

Below is a look at Malaysia's F1 hosting this year, b...