The Malaysian government has ruled out any plans for Formula 1 to return to the country in the near future, owing to the increasing costs of hosting a race, Afrosport reports.
The Sepang International Circuit hosted the F1 paddock between 1999 and 2017 and was dropped off the calendar in 2018 due to the increased cost of remaining on the calendar.
Earlier this month, Sepang chief executive Azhan Shafriman Hanif stated that it would be a mistake for Malaysia not to return to the F1 calendar, citing the massive growth the sport has witnessed in recent times.
However, Malaysian sports minister Hannah Yeoh revealed that bringing F1 back to Sepang would cost around RM300 million ($71 million) annually, and also highlighted the tight nature of the F1 calendar, which is currently at a record 24 races.
“Hosting fees payable to Liberty Media are estimated at around RM300 million annually ($71 million), with contracts typically lasting three to five years,” she said.
“This would amount to a financial commitment of between RM900 million and RM1.5 billion.
“The 2025 calendar begins in February in Bahrain, with the first race on March 16 in Australia, followed by 23 other destinations. Malaysia would also face stiff competition from regional neighbours, including Singapore, which has hosted F1 since 2008, and Thailand, which is set to join in 2028.
“These factors combined mean that bringing F1 back to Malaysia is not in our current plans.”
Yeoh, however, did not completely shut the door on Malaysia hosting an F1 race at some point, saying that it would consider bringing it back if the country could afford it.
The Sepang International Circuit already hosts a round in MotoGP and has a deal in place until 2026.
