Source:REUTERS/Marton Monus
[Saba Sports News] According to L’Equipe, due to the high cost of hosting events, the Sepang Circuit is unlikely to return to the F1 calendar in the near future. The Sepang Circuit has not appeared on the F1 calendar since 2018, although it continues to host top-tier events such as MotoGP. However, due to the high costs, the possibility of F1 returning in the next few years remains slim. According to Malaysia’s Minister of Sports, in order to return to F1, Malaysia must sign a three- to five-year contract with Formula 1’s commercial rights holder, Freedom Media, with a total commitment of approximately 1.5 billion Malaysian Ringgit. In addition to this large sum, Malaysia would need to invest an additional 10 million Malaysian Ringgit annually to maintain the track to international standards. The Sepang Circuit was first included in the F1 calendar in 1999, but it withdrew in 2018 due to cost issues. Since then, the circuit has continued to host MotoGP events. Malaysia has also stated that it is not completely opposed to F1’s return, but the costs must be borne by private companies. What do F1 fans think about this?