According to the circuit’s manager, Formula One is not likely to come back to Malaysia anytime soon as the government concentrates its efforts on helping the country’s economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sepang International Circuit’s former chief executive, Azhan Shafriman Hanif, told reporters in Singapore late on Wednesday that the government might reevaluate its options in two to three years.
The race was first held at the Sepang track, which is located outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1999, and the final Grand Prix was held there in 2017.
Due to the event’s rising costs, Malaysia was removed from the F1 schedule in 2018.
When asked if Malaysia intended to host the race again, Azhan Shafriman replied, “At this point, the answer is no, not for the time being.
“Perhaps in two to three more years, after the economy has stabilized.”
He claimed that Malaysia’s previous hosting of F1 served to promote sports tourism and “put the nation on the map.”
But before F1 comes back, the government must consider the “bigger picture” in terms of what it will mean for the nation.
We need to understand the spillover effect’s return, he continued.
“We must consider rebranding and how to monetize the platform. Technology transfer, talent development, and environmental sustainability are important topics to discuss.”
This week, he and other representatives of the circuit were in Singapore to publicise the MotoGP motorcycle race, also known as the Petronas Grand Prix, which will take place at the Sepang track from October 21–23.
Following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this will be the first MotoGP race to take place at Sepang.
After Russia was removed off the race schedule in response to President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February, rumours about F1 returning to Malaysia surfaced to fill the vacancy.
Singapore, Malaysia’s neighbor, will host a Formula One night race from September 30 to October 2.
Azhan Shafriman said that Singapore “made the correct move” in promoting the event as entertainment, which includes music and parties, in addition to a race.
“If Formula One were to return to Malaysia, it would need to depend on more than just the event. We must be involved in Formula One for some other reason “explained said.