F1 may be back only ‘after 2 or 3 years’, says Sepang chief
Azhan Shafriman Hanif, chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit, says F1 ‘has to be hinged on something else, not only on the race’, if it were to return to Malaysia. (Bernama pic)
SINGAPORE: Formula One is unlikely to return to Malaysia anytime soon as the government focuses its efforts on rebuilding the economy from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, the circuit’s boss said.
Azhan Shafriman Hanif, chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit which used to host the race, told reporters in Singapore late Wednesday the government may reconsider its options after two to three years.
The Sepang track first hosted the race in 1999, with the last Grand Prix held there in 2017.
Malaysia dropped out of the F1 calendar from 2018 amid the rising cost of hosting the event.
“At this juncture, the answer is no, not for the time being,” Azhan said when asked if Malaysia was planning to host the race again.
“Perhaps in another two to three years when the economy has stabilised.”
He said Malaysia previously hosted F1 “to put the country on the map” through sports tourism.
But for F1 to return, the government needs to study the “bigger picture” in terms of its benefits to the country.
SINGAPORE: Formula One is unlikely to return to Malaysia anytime soon as the government focuses its efforts on rebuilding the economy from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, the circuit’s boss said.
Azhan Shafriman Hanif, chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit which used to host the race, told reporters in Singapore late Wednesday the government may reconsider its options after two to three years.
The Sepang track first hosted the race in 1999, with the last Grand Prix held there in 2017.
Malaysia dropped out of the F1 calendar from 2018 amid the rising cost of hosting the event.
“At this juncture, the answer is no, not for the time being,” Azhan said when asked if Malaysia was planning to host the race again.
“Perhaps in another two to three years when the economy has stabilised.”
He said Malaysia previously hosted F1 “to put the country on the map” through sports tourism.
But for F1 to return, the government needs to study the “bigger picture” in terms of its benefits to the country.
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"Someone's" son's fave sports - alas
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