MAM On Formula 1 Return: “Possible With Corporate Sponsors”

2017 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix. (Image: Formula1.com)

Having last hosted a Formula 1 race event  in 2017, the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has since been off the premier open wheel racing championship’s calendar and radar for some time now.

There’s much to say about how and what led to this, but we’ll be brief and note much of which firstly stems from the astronomically high costs involved to host it. Second to which were the political forces from within the sport itself, as well as the management at SIC, at the time.

2017 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix. (Image: Formula1.com)

Up until 2017, the Malaysian government has been footing the bill to host an F1 race annually since the first Malaysian Grand Prix held in 1999. Waning ticket sales and subsequently poor returns were key catalysts towards the government’s and SIC’s decision not to pursue renewal of hosting rights beyond 2017.

At the same time, F1 underwent a renaissance following the sport’s acquisition by Liberty Media, who took control of things – commercially – early in 2017 from previous supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Boosting the sport’s popularity further  too is a certain Netflix docu-drama series called ‘Drive To Survive’, not forgetting Liberty’s liberal approach towards online and social content for the sport.

With corporate sponsorship, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) could see F1 return in 3 to 5 years time according to MAM President Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.

Since then, the sport’s return to Malaysia at SIC has been mooted multiple times and, on several occasions, not ruled out completely. The latest to which came from president of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir. “It is a question of who is going to pay and whether we can afford it or not,” he told Bernama earlier this week during the association’s Hari Raya Aidil Fitri open house.

Tan Sri Mokhzani adds that F1’s return to Malaysia could happen in the next 3 to 5 years, but only if corporate entities were willing to sponsor the cost of hosting it. He also acknowledged that SIC’s continued popularity amongst F1 drivers and enthusiasts remains high despite its six-year absence from the calendar. 

2017 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix. (Image: Formula1.com)

“In terms of being the host, it’s not a problem. I have no idea what is it (the cost) right now, but definitely it is higher than when we stopped in 2017,” clarified Tan Sri Mokhzani further to highlight the need for corporate support in order to host major sporting events as such.

“We always have a good relationship with the organisers, we know them since 1996 when we start the discussion to host the race, so it is a matter of time,” noted Tan Sri Mokhzani further before reiterating MAM’s current priority and focus being centred towards grassroots talent development.

Will you be excited to see F1 return to Malaysia for a race at SIC?

What do you reckon then, folks? Would you be keen to see F1 cars race once again in SIC? If yes, would you be amongst the first to queue up to purchase tickets? What would be the ideal ticket prices? Hit the comments below with your thoughts…