The Philippines in 1996-1997, China in 2000, Vietnam in 2009, Japan in 2013 and 2025, South Korea in 2014 and 2024, Taiwan in 2017 (the starting point of Trip By Trip), Singapore in 2018, Hong Kong and Macau in 2023. I like travelling to East Asia. Yet I never visited Thailand, for many westerners the starting point of Asia travels. Unexpectedly, my request for time off in January 2026 was granted, so I decided to not stay home. I booked flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for a ten-day gay solo trip.
With the conflict surrounding the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Formula 1 is looking for alternatives to the Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (in the United Arab Emirates). One alternative could be the return of the Malaysian Grand Prix, or Malaysia Grand Prix). I visited the Sepang International Circuit at the start of 2026 and I had a private behind the scenes tour.
This is an early appetizer for my 2026 Bangkok & Kuala Lumpur Escapade series which will start in September 2026 on Trip By Trip.
Sepang International Circuit
Around 45 km south of Kuala Lumpur, close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang International Circuit has been Malaysia’s home of international motorsport since 1999. Designed by renowned German circuit architect Hermann Tilke, the 5.543 km track became famous for its combination of long straights, sweeping corners and unpredictable tropical weather. For almost two decades it hosted the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, while MotoGP continues to race here today.
Although Formula 1 left Malaysia after the 2017 season, largely because of rising hosting fees and declining attendance, Sepang remains one of Asia‘s premier racing venues and regularly hosts international car and motorcycle championships.
Behind the scenes
Getting to the circuit turned out to be more complicated than expected. My Grab driver and I spent quite some time trying to locate the correct entrance, so if you plan to visit, allow some extra time, not only for the journey, but also for finding your way into the vast complex.
The biggest surprise came as soon as I arrived: I was the only participant. Instead of joining a group, I enjoyed what was effectively a private tour with my guide.
The visit began in the Race Control Room, where every race at Sepang is monitored. Sitting in the Race Director’s chair was one of those moments every motorsport fan secretly hopes for. From there we continued to the Stewards’ Room, a VVIP hospitality suite overlooking the start-finish straight, the podium, the media centre and the press conference room, offering a fascinating glimpse into the parts of a Formula 1 venue that television viewers rarely get to see.
The tour then moved trackside. I was able to photograph the safety cars, stand on the starting grid and, naturally, celebrate an entirely imaginary victory on the podium. Afterwards we drove to the Main Grandstand for panoramic views of the pit straight and the first corner before visiting the grassy spectator hill, where local fans can enjoy race weekends at a fraction of the cost of grandstand seating.
Having a private guide made the experience even more enjoyable. There was plenty of time for questions, photos and simply taking in the atmosphere of one of Asia’s most famous racing circuits. My guide also happily took countless photos of me throughout the visit, a welcome bonus when travelling solo.
National Automobile Museum
The tour concludes at the National Automobile Museum, housed within the circuit complex. The museum traces the development of Malaysia’s automotive industry through vehicles from Proton, Perodua and other manufacturers, alongside classic cars and exhibits on Sepang’s motorsport history. It’s an interesting addition to the circuit visit, particularly for anyone with an interest in Malaysian industry, although I probably wouldn’t recommend making a separate trip just for the museum.
Overall, the behind-the-scenes tour proved to be one of the highlights of my time in Malaysia. For motorsport enthusiasts, it offers a rare opportunity to explore areas normally reserved for officials, drivers and journalists, and to experience one of Formula 1’s former homes from an entirely different perspective.
Formula 1, circuits and racing related posts
- FORMULA 1 | Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain, and Belgium to rotate Grand Prix.
- Why don’t active F1 drivers come out as gay?.
- BELGIAN GRAND PRIX | Spa-Francorchamps replaces Uniroyal Tower with Uhoda Tower.
- REVIEW | F1 The Exhibition in Amsterdam.
- Guia Circuit, Macau, China.
- Circuit Andorra, El Pas de la Casa, Andorra.
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Canada.
- Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City, Mexico.
- Zandvoort, the Netherlands.
- Valencia Street Circuit, Spain.
- Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia (1).
- Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia (2).
- Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
- Singapore (1).
- Singapore (2).
- Le Mans, France.
- Norisring, Nuremberg, Germany.
On the effects on the Strait of Hormuz conflict
- Belgium lifts recommendation against travel to the United Arab Emirates, but warns security situation remains volatile.
- Lufthansa Group confident in summer jet fuel supply.
- 2026 | Security and geopolitical tensions influence Belgians’ holiday plans.
- Antwerp diamond trade rebounds amid reforms and geopolitical shifts.
- Global condom and lube prices set to surge as Iran war disrupts supply chains.
- STRAIT OF HORMUZ | Lufthansa Group cuts summer flights to save fuel amid rising costs.
- Taiwan tourism rebounds, Belgian market recovers, but cost pressures and geopolitical risks shape outlook.
- European aviation braces for jet fuel shortage amid worldwide geopolitical crisis.
- Brussels Airport summer 2026 flight schedule: 180 non-stop destinations served by 70 airlines, 8 new routes and 5 new airlines.
- Flemish travellers shift to southern Europe and Africa amid Middle East conflict.
- TUI: Middle East conflict boosts Belgian travel interest in western and southern Europe.
- “We should be more mindful of our travel destinations and the risks they entail”.
