F1 to lose ‘one of the toughest’ with SIC – Hamilton

F1 to lose ‘one of the toughest’ with SIC – Hamilton

The departure of our very own Sepang International Circuit from the Formula 1 calendar will see the loss of one of the toughest circuits to host the premier open-wheel racing series, three-time F1 drivers champion Lewis Hamilton said according to a Reuters report.

“It is definitely sad to think this is the last race. It’s the most challenging for the car and the team, so they are taking away one of the toughest, if not the toughest, Grand Prix of the season, which will be hard to replace,” Hamilton said at a press conference.

The announcement that Malaysia will no longer host Formula 1 races from next year onwards was confirmed by prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who cited poor returns for the country relative for the financial outlay incurred in the hosting of the events.

F1 to lose ‘one of the toughest’ with SIC – Hamilton

“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,” Najib stated.

The continual decline in number of viewers, visitors and number of tourist arrivals put the funding government at a disadvantage, he said, adding that funding can now be redirected to developing local motorsport talents, infrastructure as well as knowledge and technology transfer.

Hamilton’s lamenting of Sepang’s impending departure from the Formula 1 calendar comes despite his nightmare outing at the 5.5 km-long, 15-turn circuit last year, which saw the Briton lose the race lead midway due to engine failure.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • arowana on Sep 27, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    F1 will not miss Malaysia anyway.. just move on

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 25
    • Stanley on Sep 27, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      SIC lost F1 is a sad business decision. Shows that SIC don’t know how to do business.

      How come Proton can run at a loss for 20 years and still gomen keep it going?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 50
      • lilytan on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:07 pm

        The only business that the SIC is good at is tongkat business. Like any other GLC, when the G decided to pull the plug, all these parasites are just baffled on how to keep their business afloat.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 15
      • Rightwinger on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:20 pm

        Alright then Stan, what do you think SIC could’ve done to reverse their fortunes when global F1 tv viewership alone have been slipping from 6 million to 4 million from 2008 to 2014?
        Seeing that India and South Korea also dropped off the calender, would you make the same assumption of the respective organizers?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 2
        • Shidi on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:58 pm

          Yes, you’re rite. Instead of just comment pls tell those in SIC how to run the organisation in the profitable way! Can anyone tell us which country making profits by organising F1?..btw SIC is making good bizz with Motogp

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 3
      • So u mean Silverstone, MagnyCours, Hockenheim, Nurburgring, the Americas, and all those traditional circuits and even S. Koreas one time use track oso dunno how to do business?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
      • hyin21 on Sep 27, 2017 at 6:01 pm

        Rempits still waiting race circuit in Sungai Petani

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
      • Some tot SIC is just for F1. Better sack out event that are not making profit and focus on event that will bring profit. Again, SIC is not only for F1.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Fully agreed. Just a sport for elites, not the common person. Glad to see this elitist sport gone from this country.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
  • 12yrsold on Sep 27, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    This is one of a few things that what the current PM did was right. The continual decline in number of viewers, visitors and number of tourist arrivals put the funding government at a disadvantage.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 37 Thumb down 14
    • Trying to correct the incorrect.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 6
      • Albert Yong on Sep 27, 2017 at 4:42 pm

        We should get a Chna CEO to run SIC. Then you will see it making money from F1.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 24
        • James on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:32 pm

          Malaysian Chinese perhaps???

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 14
          • But superior China Chinese cant even save their track from making loss, much less MY Chinese doing anything better…

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 5
          • Maidin on Sep 27, 2017 at 6:07 pm

            KK supermart good bisnes but KR1M…

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 4
          • Have u seen Mydin business. Many times more than KK. Expensive yet no class, nobody goes to KK unless its the only one there.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 7
          • Kk mart, 99supermsrket and seven eleven main profit is by selling alcohol. True story.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
          • Fesbuk on Sep 28, 2017 at 10:06 pm

            and mydin selling alcohol orso. True story.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
      • That shows SIC done a good business. Closing the rugi one.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Good job, keep it up, we have lots more stuff that put the government at a disadvantage. To name a few, big fat P1 loans, BR1M, Permata Merah Jambu, Birkin, & etc.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 16
    • BeemerFreak on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:14 pm

      It’s also a failure on the tourism ministers part. Look at the limited airlines and flights that fly into KLIA compared to what we had with subang in the 80s and 90s, it’s difficult for viewers to come to Malaysia as well. Our lackluster public transport connections to the circuit and lack of emphasis on safety also puts race fans abroad away. Until we can admit that we are wrong and not good enough we will be pulling out of more major events.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 5
  • Yoloman on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    What poor returns?!!!

    Life should not be measured solely by the standard of ringgits and cents. Nonsense!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 12
    • 12yrsold on Sep 28, 2017 at 9:05 am

      Agree. Life should be measured by US dollar & cents. That’s why we should take F1 out of SIC. Thank Q.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • Mr Suka Syukur Selalu on Sep 28, 2017 at 10:09 pm

        Why liddat?

        Our Menteri said Don’t panic, ringgit will bounce back..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • calldisc on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    hardest for the spectators too, as they encounter terrible traffic jams on their way out of the circuit going back home. not systematic at all.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 3
    • FreeMap on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:57 pm

      Ever been to another GP? Traffic is expected on race weekends.

      SIC is among the most convenience circuits on the calendar. Plenty of parking all over the circuit and and connecting shuttle to the entrances of the circuit.

      Poor thing is that Malaysian are too relying on free-issued tickets by organizer/ GP sponsors (Petronas, etc) rather than buying themselves. And blaming ways of SIC running the business and not making profit.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2
  • Andrekua on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    Government should just subsidize the ticket price for Malaysian. Yes, it was meant to attract tourism but you really can’t depend wholly on tourism. It needed locals to support the event too. Just like if you goto Japan, would you really feel you’re in Japan when everyone that you saw are mostly foreign tourists?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
    • Err. Gov alredi sponsored 50%. Just go and show ur Mykad, that it. Apalagi mau? Free? Then dun bash why SIC dun make enuff money!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • not gonna watch on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:41 pm

    Most visitor won’t return for second time and some even told others don’t even waste money on it with the freaking hot weather, distance away from city center, poor circuit infrastructure and stupid supporting event.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 7
  • Kuinosan on Sep 27, 2017 at 8:10 pm

    I see many readers being uptight about our government decision to stop organising the F1 race. You people can say what you want , but as long as our government says that’s it, then it’s final! Just move on and don’t waste your breath on the topic.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
    • Nah!
      When MY was holding the races, bashers demand to kolos.
      When MY is stopping the race, bashers bash gov why kolos race.

      Buat apa pun, mesti mau bash. Its a basher life.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Proton iz King on Sep 27, 2017 at 11:15 pm

    nebermind….I can still race at SIC via videogames…..vroom vroom.

    I can even choose choose which car to drive…hehehe…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • the driver on Sep 28, 2017 at 7:45 am

    A large reason is probably because F1 in Malaysia is subsidized by Petronas. However when the government takes money from Petronas until Petronas needs to lay off its own staff, well there goes the F1 then

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • Beceh on Sep 28, 2017 at 8:04 am

    F1 is all about the manufacturers, team orders and snob appeal. The drivers are just one part of the corporate machine. No wonder they are losing popularity to motogp.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • SIC is sick ^^ the name is bad in first place
    Hamilton said tough, likely the weather is tough ^^

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • nemesis on Sep 30, 2017 at 8:07 am

    the toughest race on the planet for the racers as well as the spectators. the climate super hot with super humid, the hassle to park and walk and the so so after concerts. is a recipe for disaster. singapore knows our climate is hot and humid and even with nice rain trees surrounding their island, they still think doing it night time will add a better level of comfort to spectators

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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