Malaysian Grand Prix not ready to return to calendar

Since 2020, circuits formerly visited by the Formula 1 are trying to make their comeback thanks to Covid-19 and geopolitical upheavals. This is the case of the Malaysian Grand Prix, which took place on the Sepang circuit and between 1999 2017.

The Asian event had glimpsed a possibility when F1 and the FIA ​​definitively closed the port to the Russian Grand Prix against a backdrop of the Russo-Ukrainian war in the winter of 2022. But after in-depth studies, this dream shared by many former drivers and fans will have to stay in the boxes.

“At the moment, no, Malaysia is not planning to host F1 again”, indicated Azhan Shafriman Hanif, the boss of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), from several media including AFP on Thursday September 15.

If the Malaysian Grand Prix is ​​to return to the F1 scene, this can only be done by considering a new format and a new business model. In 2018, Malaysia withdrew due to ever-increasing costs of hosting the event.

WATCH: @LewisHamilton ➡️ the master of qualifying #MalaysiaGP 🇲🇾 #F1 pic.twitter.com/H9pRchLBst

- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 30, 2017

“For F1 to resurface in Malaysia, it has to be based on something else, not just racing. There must be another reason why we are doing Formula 1."

The government but must also study the “whole situation” in terms of benefits for the country. “We need to know what the return on investment would be”, continued Azhan Shafriman Hanif.

“We need to look at rebranding, how to monetize the platform. We need to talk about technology transfer, talent development and environmental sustainability.”

The manager of the Sepang circuit, located near the capital Kuala Lumpur, finally takes an example from the organizers of the Singapore Grand Prix, for their ability to build various activities on the sidelines of the simple F1 race.