It’s finally official – 2017 will be the final year of the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix, and no further F1 races will be held from 2018 onwards. This was confirmed by prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as well as a statement posted on the race series’ official website.
The premier announced that the Cabinet has agreed to end the F1-hosting contract citing poor returns for the country relative to the cost of organising the event. “In the early stages of its organisation here, the F1 races helped to promote the country as a world-class sporting destination, as well as promoting Malaysia as a global tourist destination,” Najib said.
“However, it is time that the government review the organisation of the F1 races by taking into account the changes which have taken place since we began organising it in 1999. This decision was made after taking into account reports and views from Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on the financial impact to all relevant parties,” he added.
The ever-decreasing number of viewers, visitors and number of tourist arrivals since several years ago meant the government would be at a disadvantage, as it has to bear the high costs of organising the event annually.
“In 1999, only 16 countries played host to the prestigious race, including two Asian countries. This has since increased to 21 nations, with six Asian countries, effectively leading to a reduction in returns to the organiser and the country,” he stated, adding that funding can now be redirected to developing local motorsport talents, infrastructure as well as knowledge and technology transfer.
“The government will also use existing allocations for the use of other racing events such as MotoGP and Go-kart, building a racing circuit in Sungai Petani, upgrading SIC facilities on top of helping our professional racing drivers become F1 drivers,” he explained in a blog posting.
However, Sepang International Circuit will continue to play a role in promoting Malaysia globally, as it will continue to host other motorsport events such as the MotoGP and other races. Najib also pointed out that Petronas will continue to sponsor the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team as part of the company’s branding strategy.
“The Malaysian government acknowledges the support provided by Formula One Management (FOM) throughout the period of the race organisation for the last 19 years. I also wish to convey my deepest appreciation over FOM’s understanding and agreement that the 2017 F1 race in Sepang will be the final one at the circuit,” he said.
Sean Bratches, managing director of commercial operations in Formula 1 also shared his appreciation: “It’s always sad to say goodbye to a member of the Formula 1 family. Over nearly two decades, the Malaysian Formula 1 fans have proven themselves to be some of the sport’s most passionate supporters.”
“We will have 21 exciting events to look forward to in the 2018 calendar, with the additions of the French and German races. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Sepang International Circuit for their hospitality and professionalism over the years, and their ongoing commitment to motorsport,” he said.
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Ok la…If its not making money, just shut it down. Better not waste anymore money.
Buat camne….
1st world facilities..3rd world Nasi Lemak mindset. Kolos shop laa
Proton no return pun not kolos. Bising apa?
like a certain local car company
“Potong” also not earning money!.. should be shut down immediately..Y??? Double standard??!!!
Takata ady killed pipu. Still not kolos!
Proton no kill pipu? Worst, sucking billions from our Ancestors
No need to worries,
peoples are flocking to watch the motogp compare to F1, motogp is much more interesting, last year alone more that 200,000 spectators come for motogp, the K1 VR46 tribune which i was seated is crowded.
Every weekend the sepang track are occupied by trackdays event, EVERY weekend!. be it cars or motorbike,
on weekdays, parts of the track are rented by by some company for product testing.
Not to mention the Malaysian superbike series / Festival of speed round / one make race event.
nowadays people really need new track for race talent that keep on emerging. New racing circuit are most welcome for the motorsport since the sepang track is pretty much full booked and quite expensive for young talent
and people who donno this will says the sepang track is a waste..hahah
agreed, motogp more interesting coz at least the bikes looks the same as everyday superbikes we can buy….where got cars that look like those F1 aeroplanes?? maybe shud focus on car likes racing like world touring cars championship…at least they are racing civics & normal hatchback which ppl can relate to!
Hmm…
Sapot stopping means sapot PM.
Sapot continuing means sapot utun.
Choices, choices, choices…
Sapot sapot!!
The Government Is Building a Race Track in Sg Petani!!
At least it be more useful to reduce rempits
But increase Mat Lajak how?
without F1, we will be no one.
We still have 1MDB mah. Oh wai…
We still have NoSwimmingPo… oh wait..
Putrajaya have woh. Oh wai…
Mr Najib should come to Sepang and see the reality of grassroot motorsports (Not including lepak dataran or street racing)
Every year we are facing a higher entry fees thanks to the management of sepang circuit (10% increase)
Thanks to the local organizer like Ignition.my who fully understand what Malaysian need for motorsport.
Hopefully they will be a reduction of price. Indirectly, we can encourage driver who like to race to race properly in a right way (especially myvi :P)
*Lets comment in a proper manner and no bashing :)
Sepang increasing the fees to cater for the increasing requirements by F1. Now with F1 gone, the fees might be frozen cuz no need upgrade/renovate for F1 anymore
Want ppl to comment in a proper manner and no bashing yet you say bad word against myvi? Harap nama je Syafiq tapi tak mencerminkan maksud nama Syafiq. Lol.
Myvi drivers like to race?
Like Proton drivers?
looks like someone forgot about familia MYVI club who were street racing in DUKE highway and caused the deaths of a family in a mistubishi pajero.
good. finally.
Wise decision
Cukurlah ada Najib, my mentor…
Adios! Thanks for the memories. I will attend the last F1 race in Sepang this year.
Sales were bad because tickets cost a bomb. You cannot rely on Mat Salleh and tourist to buy bulk of tickets. It is your own country people that should give 90% support.
But tickets cost gila so much. Where Malaysians can afford the price of tickets? This is chicken and egg story. Our remuneration is so low and our Ringgit is so low, the cost of going for F1 is not affordable to most families.
Najib should think about improving our GDP per capita and strengthening our ringgit instead of terminating F1.
Like this, might as well terminate and close down Proton too?
F1? Ain’t nobody got time for that!
The decision sure make some sense. But from racing point of view its a shame to lose sepang. Lots of awesome racing unlike glitzy singapore
SG oso will stop F1 in 2018/9
Singapore race, f1 fans will not miss. Glitzy glamour event but boring race with not much overtaking opportunities. Driver’s POV look like caged wrestling, fences on each side. Kiamkana SG government also realise tourism money cannot make up cost of hosting.
Sadly, the reason is ‘poor returns’.. maybe they should look at reducing the organizing cost instead. I mean other countries has been doing it with good returns over their organizing cost…. Anyway what’s done is done. Another chapter closed for Malaysia… probably a soalan sejarah in the future… F1 terakhir dianjurkan di Malaysia pada..
A. 2003
B. 2017
C. 2018
D. 2020
E. Semua di atas.
Oh really? U mean like Silverstone, Hockenheim, Nurburgring, Magny Cours, Albert Park, Estoril, Spa-Francorchamps, Montreal, Zandvoort, Jerez, Fuji, Indianapolis, Yeongam. Those kinda “successful gud returns”, eh?
It’s a shame. But F1 has lost its glitter a bit in recent years with the numb lawnmower sounding engines, difficulty in overtaking (as seen in Australia 2017). Hence the dwindling ticket sales. Last time I went to the circuit to watch an F1 race live was in 2009. Great race that was though it was cut short due to rain. But at least fans got to dance in the mud with Jamiroquai for the post race concert. Nothing lasts forever. Thanks for the memories. I’m actually more sad that they demolished the historical Batu Tiga circuit than losing the F1 race. You could always decide to run an F1 race again in the future at Sepang, but you can’t bring back Batu Tiga.
Dont be sad. You have Dua Batu.
You should have sacked the event managers and built some entertainment facilities around the place to attract more people. call the place a motor race village or something similar. It should be seen as a motor city and not a remote place with nothing but bushes. When the competition got higher, Nagie decided to quit the scene !! What a waste either way .. Another miss managed iconic event comes to a shameful ending!
u know that around Sepang circuit there is go-cart track, motocross track n motorsport park no just bushes.
They did sack the event manager and even racetrack manager (utun son). But the thing is, F1 was a losing business under Bernie and it will take a while to see how it goes with him gone. Meanwhile MY cant wait that long and keep losing money hoping a turnaround will come.
Theres no right or wrong to stop or continue. Either direction is fine as long we follow with gud reasons and not just sked to lose face if we stop.
Proton has been changing CEO left and right for the past 32 years but still remain as a losing business. If the Gov can bail out Proton, i don’t see why they could not do the same with F1. Why double standard?
Becoz Gov dun own F1?
Gov don’t own P1 also?
It’s a pity that it has come down to this. We had a world class facility, world class event. Somehow, we managed to botch this year in and year out. Since 1999, our Motorsport grassroots development has been promised the moon and the sun. Alas only one prevails, Petronas Local talent development. We had a good 18 years of chances to make it happened but naught came out of it. This window of opportunity only happened a few times in our lifetime. Lesson learnt here is to be laser focused on your objective and keep improving the target.
Dumno ppl say ” Dont watch F1, go watch mat rempit racing “. Dumb rakyat.
F1 has become less and less spectacular every passing year. It’s about time to wave the chequered flag. Use the funds to build tracks in all states and host a nationwide race calender.
Should close down Putrajaya oso since our national debt is rising very fast…..
Last report its dropping like stones. So where did u get ur fake news from?
Everything that Ketuanan touched will wilt and die. Such is the pedigree of this race
Ur kinda racing is the worst kind. How did PT allow this in?
Jangan persoal ketuanan. Kami adalah putera bumi ini…
Go away with ur fake racing.
Then go away. This is not your place
Remember some ppl prefer to sit on the slope outaide the tracks to watch it without paying for the grandstand ticket.
Post race concert mever really attract big artists
How hard Tun Mahathir bring the F1 to Malaysia, comes to Najib and also his cronie Nazri Menteri Pelancongan doesnt know to do a job, the F1 simply calling off. WTF!
Look at the Singapore. They built an event such as a concert or trance to make the day so “happening” and indirectly promoting the F1.
How hard Tun Mahathir bring the F1 to Malaysia, comes to Najib and also his cronie Nazri Menteri Pelancongan doesnt know to do a job, the F1 simply calling off
Look at the Singapore. They built an event such as a concert or trance to make the day so “happening” and indirectly promoting the F1.
How hard Tun Mahathir bring the F1 to Malaysia, comes to Najib and also his cronie Nazri Menteri Pelancongan doesnt know to do a job, the F1 simply calling off
Look at the Singapore. They built an event such as a concert or trance to make the day so “happening” and indirectly promoting the F1.