00:00For many, F1's return to Sepang this October couldn't be more exciting.
00:05For long-time fan Tengku Alina, Tengku Mahamad especially,
00:09it's like welcoming back an old friend.
00:11However, the academic points out the F1 coming back is not the same
00:15as that which ran its last race in Sepang in 2017.
00:19The racing is still fast and technical,
00:22but the culture has become far more open and inclusive.
00:25Today, women make up around 42% of Formula 1's global fanbase.
00:30They are analysing strategies, creating content, debating races,
00:34and helping shape modern F1 culture.
00:36The biggest change isn't the cars, it's how fans connect with the sport.
00:42F1 is now about personalities, rivalries, emotion, and stories beyond race day.
00:47Social media has made the paddock feel closer than ever,
00:50welcoming fans from all backgrounds.
00:53Brands, creators, and communities have also helped redefine what an F1 fan looks like.
00:58For more on how an F1 veteran sees the sport today,
01:02read Tengku Alina's letter to the editor,
01:04the new equation in the F1 formula on FMT.
