Malaysia eyes F1 calendar return as PM Anwar confirms talks under way

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that Malaysia is in discussions to possibly rejoin the Formula One calendar beyond this weekend's race at Sepang, following the sport's return to the Malaysian circuit after a nine-year hiatus due to the relocation of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

While the renewed interest has been met with enthusiasm despite weather challenges, significant economic considerations remain, with estimates suggesting Malaysia would need at least RM300 million annually to secure a permanent Formula One slot.

The recent event was financially feasible due to reduced costs, as Bahrain covered the primary hosting expenses.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Malaysia is discussing a possible return to the Formula One calendar beyond this weekend’s race at Sepang, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today, raising hopes of a longer-term revival of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Anwar confirmed the talks during a brief exchange with Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle on the grid at the Sepang International Circuit ahead of today’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Asked by Brundle about the prospect of Malaysia returning to the F1 calendar in future, Anwar replied: “Well, I’m looking forward to it. We are discussing.”

The remark is the clearest indication yet that Putrajaya is considering extending Malaysia’s renewed association with Formula One beyond this weekend, which marked the sport’s first race at Sepang in nine years.

Drenched after heavy rain swept across the circuit and delayed the start, Anwar nevertheless said the mood surrounding Formula One’s return had been overwhelmingly positive.

“Oh yes. You see, I’m wet, drenched, but excited. You see, the entire country is rejoicing,” he told Brundle.

Formula One returned to Sepang this weekend for the first time since 2017 after the Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to Malaysia because of security concerns linked to conflict in the Middle East.

The October 2-4 race retained its official Bahrain Grand Prix designation and was arranged as a one-off event.

Malaysia previously hosted a Formula One race annually from 1999 until 2017, when the government ended the event amid concerns over high costs and diminishing returns.

The economics of a permanent comeback remain a major hurdle.

Sepang International Circuit chief executive Azhan Shafriman Hanif has said Malaysia would require at least RM300 million a year to secure a regular place on the F1 calendar, with any return also dependent on a slot becoming available.

By contrast, Malaysia’s expenditure for this weekend’s event was estimated at between RM10 million and RM16 million because Bahrain had already borne the major hosting costs.

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马来西亚总理拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣表示，马来西亚正在讨论是否有可能在本周末雪邦赛道的比赛之后重新加入一级方程式赛车赛历。此前，由于巴林大奖赛的举办地变更，一级方程式赛车在马来西亚赛道中断了九年，此次雪邦赛道是该赛事的回归之作。

尽管天气条件不尽如人意，但人们对一级方程式赛车的兴趣依然高涨，并对此表示热烈欢迎。然而，经济方面仍存在重大考量，据估计，马来西亚每年至少需要 3 亿令吉才能获得一级方程式赛车的永久参赛名额。

由于巴林承担了主要的主办费用，因此最近举办的活动在财务上是可行的，因为成本降低了。

吉隆坡，10 月 4 日——马来西亚总理拿督斯里安华·易卜拉欣今天表示，马来西亚正在讨论重返一级方程式赛历的可能性，而不仅仅是参加本周末在雪邦举行的比赛，这让人们对马来西亚大奖赛的长期复兴充满希望。

在今天马来西亚巴林海湾航空大奖赛开始前，安瓦尔在雪邦国际赛道发车区与天空体育评论员马丁·布伦德尔进行了简短交流，证实了此次会谈。

当布伦德尔问及马来西亚未来是否有可能重返F1赛历时，安瓦尔回答说：“嗯，我很期待。我们正在讨论。”

这一言论是迄今为止最明确的迹象，表明布城正在考虑将马来西亚与一级方程式赛车的重新合作关系延续到本周末之后。本周末是该项运动九年来在雪邦赛道举行的首场比赛。

尽管赛道上遭遇暴雨，比赛开始时间被推迟，安瓦尔还是浑身湿透。但他表示，一级方程式赛车回归的气氛总体上是积极的。

“哦，是的。你看，我浑身湿透了，但我很兴奋。你看，全国都在欢庆，”他告诉布伦德尔。

由于中东冲突引发的安全担忧，巴林大奖赛移师马来西亚举行，一级方程式赛车自 2017 年以来首次重返雪邦赛道。

10 月 2 日至 4 日的比赛保留了其官方的巴林大奖赛名称，并被安排为一次性赛事。

马来西亚此前从 1999 年到 2017 年每年都举办一级方程式赛车比赛，之后由于成本高昂和收益递减，政府终止了这项赛事。

永久复兴的经济效益仍然是一大障碍。

雪邦国际赛道首席执行官阿兹汉·沙夫里曼·哈尼夫表示，马来西亚每年至少需要3亿令吉才能确保在F1赛历上获得一个固定位置，而且任何回报也取决于是否有空位。

相比之下，马来西亚为本周末的活动支出估计在 1000 万至 1600 万令吉之间，因为巴林已经承担了主要的举办费用。

文莱苏丹在观看完F1海湾航空巴林大奖赛重返雪邦赛道后离开。

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