SEPANG: Motorsports Associations of Malaysia (MAM) president Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir believes Sepang International Circuit (SIC) has the capability and experience to host F1 again should Malaysia have the opportunity to do so in the future.
Mokhzani said SIC’s experience in organising F1 remained intact, allowing the circuit’s management to ensure the event runs smoothly.
However, he said any decision to bring F1 back on a permanent basis would ultimately depend on the government, with the economic impact of hosting the race needing to be assessed.
"In terms of the circuit’s capability, we can do it. As for the financial capability and so on, I am sure that if we look at the economic impact and multiplier effect, it would be significant.”
"Everyone can benefit, to some extent, from what F1 actually brings to Malaysia,” he said on the sidelines of the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at SIC on Sunday (Oct 4).
Mokhzani said the economic benefits were not confined to the circuit as visitors would also stay in Kuala Lumpur and travel to other destinations.
While MAM would always want F1 to continue in Malaysia, he said the financial resources required to stage the event meant government support might be necessary.
Asked what contract formula would be suitable for Malaysia to host F1 again, Mokhzani said a five-year ‘3+2’ contract would be the ideal arrangement, providing greater certainty for organisers, fans and the Formula 1 management.
"It is usually a five-year contract. With a 3+2 arrangement, we want spectators who plan to come to be able to make arrangements. In the first year, those who have never been to Malaysia can see what the country has to offer.
"Then, in the second year, they can plan where to stay and where to go before and after the F1 race. This would also make it easier for the F1 management to schedule our race,” he said.
Mokhzani said the overwhelming response to this year’s race also demonstrated strong appetite for F1 among Malaysian fans, with 105,000 tickets reportedly sold.
Asked whether he was surprised by the turnout, he attributed the response to fans making up for the absence of F1 from Malaysia since 2017.
"I was told that 105,000 tickets had been sold and I was surprised to see people turning up even for practice on Friday. Yesterday’s qualifying session was also packed and today, we expect even more people,” he said.
In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the Bahrain GP from Oct 2-4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
The agreement kept the Bahrain GP on the 2026 F1 calendar after the race was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Malaysia hosted the Malaysian GP at SIC from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar. - Bernama
