The Sepang Worldwide Circuit hasn’t dominated out the potential of the Malaysian Grand Prix returning to the Components 1 calendar, regardless of the federal government’s refusal to financially assist the occasion.
Malaysia dropped out of F1’s schedule after 2017, simply as Liberty Media took over the collection from CVC Capital and propelled it to new heights.
In recent times, circuits world wide have loved document attendances, boosting their backside strains, whereas Liberty Media has additionally been actively working with promoters to enhance the monetary viability of every grand prix.
Beneath the improved monetary local weather, Sepang’s administration has been more and more proactive in looking for the return of the Malaysian GP, believing that pulling the plug on the race was a “mistake”.
Nevertheless, the Malaysian authorities has made it clear that it will not present any funding to revive the occasion, with Liberty reportedly quoting a internet hosting charge of round $70million.
Nonetheless, the circuit stays hopeful that Malaysia may sooner or later return to the F1 map, even when a comeback seems unlikely within the close to future.
“I am fairly positive Components 1 will come again sometime, however not now,” Sepang CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif informed Autosport. “I believe the federal government’s effort proper now’s solely specializing in what the general public wants slightly than spending thousands and thousands of {dollars} and ringgit to pay for Components 1.
Sepang circuit aerial view
Photograph by: Sutton Pictures
“However I do consider with the appropriate assist from company sooner or later and so forth, possibly we are able to deliver it again. However for the time being, it is a no for us. However I do hope Components 1 comes again sooner or later.”
Requested if it might be doable for Sepang to host an F1 race with out authorities funding, Shafriman mentioned: “I would not say it is inconceivable. We simply want to search out the appropriate associate to return in. However after all, after they pay excessive cash, belongings and so forth, what do they get again in return? So these are the issues that we have to think about and we have to focus on additional.
“However then once more, if ever Components 1 have been to return again, we’re able to host. And hopefully, the federal government will not be burdened by the rights charge.”
F1’s calendar is already at its most capability of 24 races, making it troublesome to accommodate new or returning circuits within the brief time period.
A possible bid from Malaysia can even face stern competitors from different international locations looking for to hitch the calendar, together with Thailand, the place the federal government has put aside $1.2bn for a road race in Bangkok. Rwanda and Argentina are additionally believed to be vying for a spot in F1.
Potential slots may open up on the calendar with Zandvoort dropping out after 2026 and Spa-Francorchamps becoming a member of the rotation system that can see it not internet hosting races in 2028 and 2030.
Race Begin
Photograph by: Shameem Fahath / Motorsport Community
Shafriman acknowledged that discovering a spot on an increasingly-crowded F1 calendar could be difficult, however highlighted how Sepang’s infrastructure stays as much as normal.
“There’s a whole lot of competitors on the market. We’re not the one ones who’re pursuing Components 1. There are different international locations which might be queuing up and every part,” he admitted. “When you see all the opposite circuits on this planet, they’re reinventing themselves. They’re doing new issues.
“However by way of the homologation of the monitor, by way of the services that we now have right here, we simply have to tweak somewhat bit right here and there in order that we are able to put together for the occasion itself.”
Sepang’s present contract for MotoGP expires on the finish of 2026, however the circuit is assured of putting a brand new multi-year deal by the beginning of subsequent 12 months.
F1’s proprietor Liberty Media now holds a majority stake in MotoGP’s rightsholders, Dorna Sport.
“For the time being, our essential objective and our essential goal is to proceed internet hosting MotoGP sooner or later. And hopefully, the opposite worldwide races will come over aside from having MotoGP right here,” mentioned Shafriman.
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