Sepang International Circuit (SIC) CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif has admitted it was a mistake for Malaysia to stop hosting Formula One, but stressed that bringing the race back now would be far more difficult and costly.
The Malaysian Grand Prix was part of the F1 calendar from 1999 to 2017 before being dropped due to rising hosting fees, dwindling local interest, and weak ticket sales. Even with government subsidies and backing from Petronas, attendances lagged behind MotoGP.
Azhan revealed that rejoining the F1 calendar today would cost over RM300 million annually, compared to RM160 million in 2016, excluding RM10–20 million in setup costs. “There is a waiting list to get back in and the costs are very expensive,” he said, adding that government and corporate support would be essential.
Since Liberty Media took over in 2017, Formula One’s popularity has surged, boosted by Netflix’s Drive to Survive and new sprint race formats. Azhan believes Malaysia could benefit from this global momentum if the race were revived. He pointed to Singapore’s model, where ministries, sponsors, and the hospitality industry work together to deliver the event: “It has to be like that if we bring it back here. These are national events, not just SIC’s.”
Currently, SIC is negotiating an extension of its MotoGP hosting rights with Dorna Sports. Azhan highlighted that MotoGP delivers a 6.3 times return on investment, with more than 200,000 spectators expected in October. Hosting costs for MotoGP are about USD12 million (RM55 million) after a recent 20 percent increase—making it far more affordable compared to Formula One.
“In comparison, MotoGP looks like a bargain and F1 more like an indulgence,” Azhan concluded.
