Kerajaan bincang penganjuran F1 pada masa depan

Rain deluge struck the International Circuit Sepang, causing the start of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix to be delayed. (Photo: Bernama) KUALA LUMPUR: The government is exploring the possibility of resurrecting the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix Malaysia race, following the announcement of the F1 action at the International Circuit Sepang (SIC) on the weekend.

When asked whether there is a chance for Malaysia to resume hosting F1 in the future, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said: "That is my hope. We are discussing it." He made the comments in response to former F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle during a brief interview at the grid near the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Anwar, drenched from the heavy rain in Sepang, also expressed his interest in seeing F1 return to the country.

"As you can see, I am wet but very eager," he told Brundle. The rain and torrential downpour caused the race to be delayed, finally starting at 4:35 pm. The weekend marks the first time an F1 race has taken place in Sepang since 2017, although the event is officially known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

The Bahrain race was moved to SIC due to safety concerns arising from regional conflict, returning Malaysia to the F1 calendar. Malaysia has hosted an F1 race at SIC every year from 1999 to 2017. The Najib Razak administration ended the event following claims of high costs and dwindling returns. The government said Malaysia would need to spend between RM10 million and RM16 million for preparations, as Bahrain would bear most of the race-related costs.

SIC chief executive Azhan Shafriman Hanif estimated that maintaining a permanent spot in the F1 calendar would cost Malaysia at least RM300 million annually, including rental fees. He said any permanent hosting would depend on the government providing justification for the expenditure and whether there is a slot available in the already crowded F1 calendar.