22/08/2025

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FRIDAY | AUG 22, 2025

Malaysian Paper

F1 return red-flagged red-flagged Government cannot afford billions to put race back on track, says minister

BERNAMAPIC

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif, meanwhile, struck a more measured note, saying any return of F1 would hinge on “serious funding, strategic planning, and nationwide commitment” before a proposal could move forward. He added that the circuit remains prepared to coordinate a potential comeback, acting as a bridge between government stakeholders and F1 management. Addressing concerns that SIC risks becoming a “white elephant,” Yeoh said the circuit is still actively used. She pointed out that the SIC Time Out programme opens the venue to the public for community activities such as cycling and skateboarding. She added that last year’s MotoGP event drew nearly 185,000 spectators, generated an economic impact of RM329 million and created 4,463 jobs for the local community.

money, stressing that the event should only return if the private sector finds it commercially viable. “If hosting F1 is viable from an economic and business perspective, it should be funded entirely by the private sector. If it is not viable, then government investment makes no sense either,” he told theSun , adding that Malaysia’s two-decade run with F1 proved unsustainable. An industry player who declined to be named, echoed the concern and warned that the true costs could be staggering. “Staging a single race could cost the country upwards of RM300 million once setup and ancillary expenses are factored in. “That amount could instead subsidise 20,000 B40 families with RM15,000 each to help them buy their first homes – directly benefitting at least 100,000 Malaysians,” he said.

cover two to four years of these programmes,” she said. Yeoh also said that Malaysia faces stiff competition for a slot on the global Formula One race calendar. “For instance, Singapore has hosted the race since 2008, while Thailand is set to join the F1 calendar in 2028. “Hosting by other Southeast Asian countries could affect Malaysia’s returns,” she said. However, she stressed that the door remains open for private investors. “Interested corporate parties can engage directly with SIC. We are open and ready to cooperate,” she said. Malaysia began hosting F1 in 1999 but withdrew after 2017 due to rising costs and dwindling spectator interest. Earlier this week, economist Prof Geoffrey Williams cautioned against reviving Formula One with taxpayers’

Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Grade 1 compliance status, but it requires around RM10 million annually to ensure the track’s safety and supporting facilities meet standards,” she said. Yeoh was responding to Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew who asked whether Malaysia would consider bringing back the championship, which was last held in 2017. She said the ministry has to weigh the costs against benefits for both athletes and the public. “The RM300 million annual hosting fee could instead fund various important programmes under the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS). “With that allocation, KBS could run development programmes for 20 different sports, involving 363 podium athletes and 9,834 talent development athletes. “In fact, RM300 million could

M ALAYSIA is steering clear of reviving the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix for now, with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh warn ing that the government cannot afford the billions it would take to put the race back on track. Yeoh told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that hosting the race would cost about RM300 million a year in fees to Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder, with a three-to five-year contract potentially amounting to RM1.5 billion – not including track upgrades and operating expenses. “On top of that, there are costs for preparing the track and staging the event. “The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) still holds Federation

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