{
  "id": 12082606,
  "title": "Malaysia needs 5-year plan for F1 return, says FIA boss",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/malaysia-needs-5-year-plan-for-f1-return-says-fia-boss",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T05:02:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/05/malaysia-needs-5-year-plan-for-f1-return-says-fia-boss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has stated that Malaysia needs a five-year business plan to return to the Formula One calendar. In a media roundtable with Malaysian media, Ben Sulayem highlighted that Malaysia possesses the necessary track, investment, and motorsport foundation to host F1. However, he stressed that any return would necessitate proper planning and a thorough evaluation of the event's economic and tourism benefits. The FIA president emphasized that the plan should address financing, promotion, and logistical requirements for the race. Ben Sulayem expressed enthusiasm about Malaysia's potential inclusion in the F1 calendar, noting that the championship could expand to 25 races from the current 24. However, he emphasized the importance of balancing the calendar by adding more teams rather than merely increasing the number of races. Ben Sulayem, who was in Malaysia for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which took place at the Sepang International Circuit from October 2 to 4, highlighted Malaysia's passionate fan base and the positive response to the event. Despite Malaysia's absence from the F1 calendar since 2017, the FIA president encouraged the country to explore other forms of motorsport development, such as karting, cross-car racing, and rallying.",
  "summary": "Mohammed Ben Sulayem says the plan must cover financing, promotion and logistics.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Malaysia needs 5-year plan for F1 return, says FIA boss",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/malaysia-needs-5-year-plan-for-f1-return-says-fia-boss-12083728",
        "published": "2026-10-05T05:02:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}