‘We can bring it back if...’

SEPANG International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali has stressed it would only be worthwhile to bring Formula One back to Malaysia if all the relevant parties worked hand-in-hand to make it a success.

Razlan said bringing the race back to Malaysia was only a matter of fee negotiations with rights holders Liberty Media but going in unprepared would only result in the same low turnouts that it has suffered in recent seasons.

“This year is the last year (for Malaysian GP) and we will not be hosting the race for at least five years or more (before the possibility of bringing it back),” said Razlan yesterday.

“I always maintain that F1 is not like the World Cup or the Olympics where you have to bid to host it, it’s all about negotiation of the fees, which for me is the easiest part.

“The hard part is getting all the parties to work together to maximise the impact of the event (F1) rather than us (SIC) doing everything on our own. We do not have the resources and the arms and the legs to do it.

“Our neighbouring country (Singapore) worked like a Formula One team together with all their ministries but we have found it hard to do the same here.”

Singapore, which also suffered a drop in fan turnout in recent years, had thought of withdrawing from the race last year but made a U-turn and recently signed a new contract to host it until 2021.

Razlan admitted that Singapore has an event with attractive potential which has struck the right notes with their citizens.

“I believe Liberty Media worked very hard to make sure they (Singapore) did not leave F1.

“And if I were them (Liberty Media) I would do the same because there is no denying they have a good event with the race being held at night in the city with a big budget and entertainment.

“For us (Sepang), we are purely about racing and we could not get the hardcore fans to come out.

“Singapore appeals to the masses there as they (Singapore public) like the concerts and the parties.

“But on the other side of the coin, we have MotoGP which is also all about racing.

“We do not have much entertainment for MotoGP but we still have the numbers.”

SIC held a traffic management briefing and track visit, including a safety team demonstration yesterday, highlighting their preparations for the Petronas Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix which starts on Friday. Fadhli Ishak