F1 return: Youth and Sports Ministry to table cost-benefit evaluation to Cabinet next month

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — The Sports and Youth Ministry in Malaysia is preparing to present its assessment on whether or not the country should resume hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix to the Cabinet next month, announced Minister Mohd Taufiq Johari during Question Time in Parliament. An inter-ministerial assessment committee, involving various ministries, has been established to evaluate the projected costs and return on investment for the nation.

Taufiq revealed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has been mandated to lead this committee, as Sepang International Circuit recently successfully hosted the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix and marked F1's first return to Malaysia in nine years. The rescheduled race saw record-breaking ticket sales, reigniting discussions about bringing F1 back to Malaysia permanently.

Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017, but the government withdrew due to rising hosting fees and declining ticket returns. Industry estimates suggest that hosting the F1 Grand Prix annually costs over RM300 million. However, FIA officials have indicated that the door remains open for Sepang, provided a viable five-year business plan is presented.

Taufiq emphasized that any decision must involve "shared benefits" across multiple sectors, including tourism, retail, and hospitality. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is currently conducting an assessment of the country's readiness and related factors, with the goal of producing a report for presentation to the Cabinet by November.

Ultimately, the Cabinet will make the final decision on whether to bring Formula 1 back to Malaysia.