Nine Aussies arrested in Malaysia fly home after F1 Grand Prix stunt

The nine Australian men arrested in Malaysia for indecently exposing themselves at the Formula 1 Grand Prix have been released and are set to arrive back in Australia on Friday.

Dubbed the "Budgie Nine" after the men stripped down to their tight fitting bathers - or "budgie smugglers" - following Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciard's win the Grand Prix in Sepang on Sunday, eight of the nine men boarded a plane bound for Australia after their release from Malaysian prison overnight

The ninth man, Australian government staffer Jack Walker, did not board the plane and instead stayed in Kuala Lumpur.

Following their release and after they were each handed the minor charge of being a public nuisance, the men issued a letter of apology for their actions.

"The incident was done in a moment of folly, and for that we are truly sorry that we have hurt the feelings of Malaysians in general," the letter read.

The men spent four nights in a Malaysian prison after they were arrested at the Sepang International Circuit wearing their tight-fitting swimwear featuring the Malaysian flag.

The swimwear's manufacturer Budgy Smuggler also issued a statement overnight, apologizing for the offence its product caused.

"We've produced over 50 flags without international incident and it is genuinely meant as a sign of embracing cultures and also often for people from other countries to embrace an Australian tradition," the statement read.

"No offence was intended in the production of the pairs."

Earlier in the week, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop reminded Australians to respect and understand the different laws and customs of foreign countries, while Ricciardo described the stunt as "harmless fun". Endit