KUALA LUMPUR: Can Malaysia make Formula One lucrative enough to justify a permanent return to the Sepang International Circuit?
That is the question posed by BA of Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who is also Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chairman, following his visit to the recent Singapore Grand Prix.
Weighing the commercial realities against the motorsport prestige of hosting the race, Tengku Zafrul said any future bid must look beyond the track action and assess whether the economic returns justify the hosting costs.
"Singapore is truly remarkable in turning F1 into not just a race, but a complete experience," Tengku Zafrul said on X.
"From hospitality and entertainment to the atmosphere surrounding the race, everything is world-class. They also organise conferences and business events on the sidelines of F1, making it a platform to build relationships and open up economic opportunities."
Tengku Zafrul, who is also a former Finance Minister, said while Malaysia holds a technical edge in terms of track layout, an event's financial blueprint remains paramount.
"At the same time, many drivers and F1 fans still regard Sepang as among the most challenging circuits in the F1 world," he said.
"High-speed corners, unpredictable weather, and a track design that truly tests a driver's skill — it is truly a circuit built for pure racing!
"We already have a world-class circuit. But to bring F1 back, we must think beyond just the race. How do we attract tourists, generate revenue, and ensure the economic returns are worth the hosting costs?
"The big question: can we make F1 profitable enough for Malaysia?"
Malaysia was a regular fixture on the F1 calendar from 1999 until 2017.
Talk of a permanent return to Sepang has gained traction after the circuit made an impromptu comeback to the global stage earlier this month.
The circuit stepped in at short notice to host this year'a Bahrain Grand Prix as a one-off substitution after the race was unable to proceed at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir due to heightened geopolitical tensions and regional conflict in the Middle East.
The race weekend drew massive crowds and saw Red Bull's Max Verstappen win on wet tarmac.
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