KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Malaysia is discussing a possible return to the Formula One calendar beyond this weekend’s race at Sepang, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today, raising hopes of a longer-term revival of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Anwar confirmed the talks during a brief exchange with Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle on the grid at the Sepang International Circuit ahead of today’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Asked by Brundle about the prospect of Malaysia returning to the F1 calendar in future, Anwar replied: “Well, I’m looking forward to it. We are discussing.”

The remark is the clearest indication yet that Putrajaya is considering extending Malaysia’s renewed association with Formula One beyond this weekend, which marked the sport’s first race at Sepang in nine years.