RIGHT DECISION
It is time to focus on more financially feasible events
IT has been a long wait since Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz confirmed last year that Malaysia would be ending its hosting of Formula One last year.
After a sentimental buildup to the race, the dust has now settled on the Sepang International Circuit after the 19th and final edition of the Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix and it is unlikely to make a return to our shores with good reason.
As expected, attendance figures for the last Malaysia Grand Prix were quite sizeable but it was still far from impressive and failed to come anywhere near the record attendance of 123,400 over three days in 2013.
On Friday, 16,813 spectators attended the race, 37,776 on Saturday and 56,015 on Sunday for a total of 102,863 spectators over three days, marking a 22.7 per cent increase over last year.
Over the 19 years, a total of 1,880,490 spectators came to watch the race at Sepang, averaging 98,973 per race.
With the exception of Sebastian Vettel’s performance where he rallied from the back of the grid to fourth spot, and his post race collision with Lance Stroll, the race on Sunday lacked much excitement, highlighting the huge disparity in pace, and funding, among the teams competing.
F1 is a technological showcase requiring massive funding to be competitive. The difference between the haves and have nots is immense and has left little room for surprises.
It highlights the fact that the series has lost its lustre and pulling the plug on the event, for now at least, is the right decision.
Malaysia was one of the first countries outside Europe and Latin America to host the race, and Sepang has achieved its objective of putting Malaysia on the map in general.
Estimated to cost RM300 million to host annually, it is time to focus on more financially feasible events which can spur the development of local talent which has not been the case with F1.
Belgian-born Max Verstappen, who won the final Sepang race on Sunday, pointed out the fact that F1 is not struggling everywhere.
“I don’t understand why it (F1) is losing popularity here because it is sky high back home,” said Verstappen, who represents the Netherlands. “The racing here (at Sepang) has always been exciting due to the track. Maybe they (fans) don’t like the heat.”
The Belgian GP has enjoyed record crowds recently due to his popularity in what the foreign press have dubbed the ‘Verstappen effect’.
This is what we need here in Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has assured there are a number of plans in the pipeline for the circuit which place a priority on local participation.
A local hero here will hopefully have the same effect as Verstappen on the race at Spa-Francorchamps.
Nonetheless, the Sepang circuit will continue to roar as MotoGP enjoys a massive following here, posting record turnouts year after year.