Malaysia has been a part of the F1 calendar since 1999, but ticket sales to the races have been on the decline since 2014, according to local report. Formula 1’s fate in Malaysia is now in question, according to Sepang International Circuit (SIC) CEO Datuk Razlan Razali, following discussions next week with the Ministry of Finance, which is SIC’s key shareholder.
Sales have consistently fallen 10% each year, while initial reports showed that TV viewership of the sport in Malaysia was the “lowest in history,” according to Razlan. “In contrast, the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) looks more promising in terms of attracting spectators and its potential spillover effects,” he added.
Contrasting with F1’s spectatorship decline is MotoGP, the world’s premier motorcycle championship, which continues to see growth. “Last year we saw 85,000 spectators for our MotoGP. This year, as all the tickets have already been sold out, we target a record 90,000 spectators, inclusive of from the hill stands,” explained Razlan.
“Moving forward, if all parties collaborate, inclusive of the ministries of tourism, sports and communication, we may improve further,” Razlan concluded. First hosted in Batu Tiga, Shah Alam from 1991 and then in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Sepang has been home to the Malaysian round of MotoGP since 1999.
However, there will be no rush to issue an official statement on Malaysia’s exit from the F1 calendar as of yet, as SIC has a “watertight agreement” with the sport’s licence holders until 2018. Circuit management also clarified that no decision about the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix will be made this week. Only the renewal of the MotoGP licence, which expires this year, is expected to be finalised so soon.
So, what do you think of this – do you want F1 to stay?
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments generally agree that F1 at Sepang is losing popularity due to boredom, high costs, and lack of excitement compared to MotoGP and other motorsport events. Many feel F1's rules and predictable outcomes diminish its appeal, and ticket prices are too high for the average Malaysian. Some suggest focusing on local or alternative events like MotoGP, Formula E, or WRC, which are seen as more thrilling and relevant. There is a consensus that F1's relevance is declining, with concerns about poor promotion, transportation issues, and diminishing local interest. Several comments support the idea of discontinuing F1 at Sepang to save costs and shift attention to other motorsport forms or improve publicity for future races. Overall, sentiment leans towards viewing F1 as less worthwhile and advocating for alternative motorsport investments.