Social media users debate F1 proposal
KUALA LUMPUR: The idea of bringing back Formula One to Malaysia has stirred debate among social media users.
While some agreed it could benefit the country, others said it was best if the government focused on improving the lives of the people first.
Joe Anwar, commenting on BH Online’s Facebook page, said: “Many people have lost their jobs as the government wants to reduce cost… but to host F1, which will cost millions, is okay? Hmmm.”
Sarip Boss wrote: “This is not in Pakatan Harapan’s 100-day manifesto promise. You said that Malaysia’s debt is RM1 trillion. How much will it cost to host the F1?”
Facebook user Abdul Hadi said: “Instead of using the money to host F1, it is better to help the B40 group, which is more crucial.”
Dean Lau A said: “There is no point in bringing F1 back if promoters and others do not know how to make money from it. Malaysia is not a fine destination for F1.”
Albakri Hashim Bazir said: “It will be such a waste of money. It is a rich man’s hobby. About 95 per cent of the population don’t watch the F1 race and cannot afford the tickets.”
However, there are some who supported the move.
Azmil Aziz said: “I agree with the move, but I hope that ticket prices will be lower so that more Malaysians can watch the race, please.”
Fauziah Majid said: “By hosting F1, it will generate income for the country as more visitors will
spend their money here. F1 could help to boost the country’s economy. Just pray for the best and don’t be so negative.”
Opinion is also split among those in motorsports.
World Endurance Championship driver Nabil Jeffri is all for the race to make a comeback.
Nabil is a singleseater racer who had worked his way up to Formula Two, but was held back from moving up to Formula One because of budget constraints.
In 2010, when he was 16, he became the youngest-ever test driver in F1 when he drove for Lotus.
“I believe we need F1 in Malaysia despite the cost.
“F1 and MotoGP are the two biggest motorsports events in the world.
“I feel that if we do not do it, we will lose out. It’s just a matter of finding the budget to do it.”
Nabil, however, said Malaysia needed to have a driver in F1 if the event was to become popular in the country.
“We have drivers capable of racing in F1, such as Jazeman Jaafar and myself.
“We have reached a high level in the sport and I feel that it is a waste of talent if we do not do it.
“Having Malaysians racing will inspire the next generation of talent and they will believe that it is possible to make it.
“Look at the interest Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah created by racing in MotoGP. We need the same thing in F1.”
Dream Chaser team principal C.Y. Ong, however, has a different view and believes that the money used to host F1 would be better spent on talent development programmes.
Dream Chaser won the Best National Team Award at the Petronas-Sepang International Circuit-Motorsports Association of Malaysia Awards on Tuesday.
“There are three ways to look at it. One is from a fan’s perspective, second, from an economic perspective, and finally, via development perspective.
“As a fan, I would love to have F1 back in Malaysia. But from the other two perspectives, I believe the answer is no.
“Economically, we know that F1 costs a lot of money to host.
“People are losing interest in F1. Since F1 was dropped in Malaysia, there has been a lot more (government) funding for talent development programmes and we hope to see more of that.
“If I have to choose between hosting an F1 race and development programmes, I would say no to the former.”
RaceRoom Malaysia technical accounts manager Jimmy Lim said bringing back F1 would boost racing interest among youngsters.
“F1 is the highest level of racing in the world. It is also the same in simulator racing because these cars are challenging to drive.
“It takes a lot to drive them fast.”
RaceRoom is racing simulator programme.
Having Malaysians racing will inspire the next generation of talent and they will believe that it is possible to make it.
NABIL JEFFRI
World Endurance Championship driver