The return of Formula 1 racing to Sepang after a nine-year absence gave Malaysian motorsport fans plenty to celebrate, but a group of Shell V-Power customers experienced the comeback from a perspective few fans get to enjoy. Through Shell Malaysia’s exclusive Shell Motorsport Experience Campaign, selected guests were given an insider’s look into the world of Scuderia Ferrari HP during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Malaysia, bringing them closer to the people, technology and passion behind the iconic Formula 1 team.

The experience went well beyond watching the action from the grandstands. Guests took part in a Pit Lane Walk, visited the Scuderia Ferrari HP garage and explored the paddock, offering a rare glimpse into the preparations that take place behind the scenes during a race weekend. They also stepped inside the Shell Trackside Laboratory, where Shell scientists work in real time to test and analyse the race fuel and lubricants used by Scuderia Ferrari HP. The programme also included a special appearance by Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc before the guests headed to the Grandstand to experience the atmosphere of the race.

The weekend ended on a strong note for Scuderia Ferrari HP, with Leclerc taking third place and Hamilton finishing fourth at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Zairi Dzuljastri, General Manager, Shell Mobility & Convenience Malaysia, said the return of racing to Sepang represented an important moment for the country’s motorsport community. He added that Shell’s long-standing relationship with Scuderia Ferrari HP allowed the company to create experiences that took fans beyond the traditional race-day spectacle, while highlighting the shared focus on performance and innovation.

For the invited guests, the experience was particularly meaningful. Kumaragurubharan from Port Dickson, who has followed motorsport for 12 years, recalled watching the race at Sepang when he was 14. Returning nine years later and getting the chance to meet Hamilton and Leclerc in person made the occasion even more memorable.

For Klang-based Ferrari fan How Bee Yong, the experience became a family affair. Having collected Shell Ferrari model cars over the years, he was able to share the long-awaited return to Sepang with his son, who had already purchased his own race ticket. The celebration of Malaysian support for Scuderia Ferrari HP also extended beyond the circuit.

At Shell KLIA Sepang, more than 500 messages and well wishes from Malaysian fans were transformed into bespoke batik-inspired pieces featuring the names and messages of supporters. Siti Sulaiman, Country Chair, Shell Malaysia, and Zairi presented the tribute to Hamilton and Leclerc at a closed-door event. The gesture added a distinctly Malaysian touch to the race weekend, turning messages from local fans into a tangible show of support for the Ferrari drivers.

The connection between the racetrack and Shell’s road-going products was also highlighted through Shell V-Power. The fuel incorporates performance and technology developed through Shell’s long-running collaboration with Scuderia Ferrari HP, with Shell V-Power road fuel also used by the team on the track. Shell says its Shell V-Power technology is designed to clean up to 100% of critical engine parts, helping engines maintain performance.

The exclusive motorsport experience formed part of Shell Malaysia’s Feel the Fuel campaign, which ran from 24 August to 20 September 2026. Customers who entered through the Shell App stood a chance to experience the world of Scuderia Ferrari HP and get closer to the passion for performance shared by Shell and the Ferrari Formula 1 team.

The campaign also highlighted a partnership that stretches back more than 75 years, with Shell and Scuderia Ferrari HP continuing to work together on fuel and lubricant technology while pursuing greater performance and innovation. For Malaysian fans returning to Sepang after almost a decade, the experience offered something more than simply watching Formula 1 cars race. It provided a rare opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes and experience, first-hand, the technology, teamwork and passion that fuel the sport.