Will Formula 1 make a return to the Sepang International Circuit? Prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is hoping that it will, expressing his desire to see the race being run once again at Sepang, The Star reports.
He made the comment at the Petronas SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Awards 2018 last night, where he was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the MAM.
Dr Mahathir said he never expected the motorsport scene in Malaysia to thrive as it did when he first set out to develop a world class race track in Malaysia. “I remember my visit to Estoril in Portugal, which inspired me to have a similar track in Malaysia. I never thought it would bring 10,000 to 20,000 people to the track,” he said.
“The reception was good. Malaysians took up racing themselves and are now very well into motor racing and also the engineering behind the cars. So we have gained a lot of things from the Sepang races and the money spent on the track was well worth it. I hope the races (at Sepang) will continue into the future, and I also hope Formula 1 will come back in all its glory,” he said.
The SIC played host to Formula 1 for 19 straight years, from 1999 to 2017. Declining interest in the race and the high costs incurred were reasons cited for not continuing with it from 2018. The track however continues to host the popular MotoGP, which has been drawing record-breaking crowds in recent years.
Do you think that Malaysia should make a return to hosting an F1 race? Share your viewpoints on the matter in the comments section.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments largely express a desire to bring F1 back to Sepang, citing the track's quality and Malaysia’s motorsport heritage, with some emphasizing potential economic benefits and tourism. Several commenters note past mismanagement, financial losses, and the need for private sector involvement to ensure sustainability. There’s skepticism about government spending and concerns over declining local interest and relevance of F1. Some compare Malaysia's situation unfavorably to Singapore and other countries that have hosted or dropped F1, questioning whether the costs outweigh benefits. A few comments mention the importance of supporting more relatable motorsport events like MotoGP or grassroots racing, suggesting that affordability and local engagement are key. Overall, the sentiments favor F1's return if well-managed and financially viable.