KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is considering hosting Formula One (F1) races every few years in partnership with another country instead of holding the event annually, says Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari.
"Discussions on a possible return are still at an early stage, with a government assessment report expected to be submitted to the Cabinet by November.
"Malaysia will decide whether to bring back F1 after a government committee completes its assessment of the costs, economic returns and feasibility of hosting the race," he said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 15).
Taufiq said the government initially projected an economic impact of RM950mil from the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 at the Sepang International Circuit from Oct 2 to 4.
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However, he said future hosting decisions would require a comprehensive assessment of whether similar returns could be achieved.
"Hosting F1 is not cheap, and there are several important aspects that we need to evaluate," he said.
The three-day event drew about 261,000 visitors and recorded more than 100,000 ticket sales, compared with about 30,000 tickets when Malaysia last hosted an F1 race in 2017.
A committee involving various ministries and the Chief Secretary to the Government has been tasked with assessing the event’s feasibility and return on investment, with the aim of ensuring its benefits extend beyond the Youth and Sports Ministry and Sepang International Circuit.
"Any decision must also ensure that hosting F1 would not affect funding for athlete development and other sports in the country," he said.
Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) had asked if F1 would return to Malaysia and what factors, including hosting costs, would determine the decision.
Earlier, Taufiq told Datuk Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PN-Dungun) that the recent event was coordinated through a whole-of-government approach involving eight subcommittees and 532 volunteers.
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"Local entrepreneurs operating 40 booths at the Rasa Madani food and SME vendor carnival recorded more than RM550,000 in sales during the three-day event," he said.
On developing local racing talent, Taufiq said the ministry allocated RM5.6mil last year for 29 programmes covering 159 activities and competitions in two-wheel and four-wheel motorsports nationwide.
Grassroots initiatives continued this year, including motocross track days, motorsports classes for women, go-karting, rally and minibike programmes, while Sepang International Circuit supported local drivers through competitions such as the Malaysia Touring Car Championship and Sepang 1000km.
"The priority was to widen access to motorsports development, including for young people in rural areas, so Malaysia could develop its own racing talent rather than remain a host and sponsor of international races," he said.
