MALAYSIA’S bid to bring back Formula One on a regular basis will depend on whether the economic returns justify the substantial hosting costs, with the government expected to submit its feasibility assessment to the Cabinet by November.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said that the assessment would examine hosting costs, projected economic returns and the effectiveness of the investment before the government decides whether to revive the race.
“Hosting F1 is not cheap. It involves substantial costs. We need to assess whether organising it every year can deliver returns commensurate with the investment.
“The assessment is now under way and, by November, we will produce a report to be presented to the Cabinet before a decision is made on whether F1 will return to our country,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) on the possibility of bringing F1 back to Malaysia and the factors the government would consider before making a decision.
Mohammed Taufiq said the government was also examining whether the race could be held periodically, including once every few years through cooperation with other countries.
The Youth and Sports Ministry is part of an F1 Evaluation Committee involving relevant ministries and the Chief Secretary to the Government, tasked with assessing costs and return on investment (ROI).
He said the economic benefits must extend beyond the ministry and the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) to other sectors, including tourism, hospitality, transport, retail and related industries.
“We need to consider whether the same returns can be achieved if F1 is held every year, while also assessing the readiness of existing infrastructure.
“Most importantly, hosting the event must not negatively affect the development of other sports in the country. Funding for athlete development and national sports must continue,” he said.
Malaysia hosted the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit from Oct 2 to 4 under an arrangement involving Formula One, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the Malaysian and Bahraini governments.
The event brought F1 back to Sepang after a nine-year absence, with the circuit last hosting a race in 2017. The 2026 event was held in Malaysia after geopolitical tensions in West Asia prevented the Bahrain Grand Prix from taking place as originally scheduled.
Mohammed Taufiq said the government had also held preliminary discussions involving Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and F1’s chief executive and management team on the possibility of the race returning. - October 15, 2026