Nazri: Flagging interest so M’sia putting brakes on F1

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has finally confirmed that it will stop hosting the Formula One Grand Prix race after its contract ends in 2018.

This came a day after reports that Singapore, which hosts the only night race, is thinking of doing the same next year.

Confirming this, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said F1 had become more expensive to host and was no longer attractive.

“In fact, all over the world - even Singapore - the number of attendance has reduced. I don’t think there is anywhere in the world that the number of spectators for F1 has increased.

“So, I think for long-term interest, it is the right thing to do,” Nazri told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He said although Malaysia spent about RM300mil a year to organise and host the F1 race, the returns were not up to par, adding that the country had also not produced enough F1 drivers during this time.

Nazri said on the other hand, the Motorcycle GrandPrix (MotoGP) saw an increase in followers.

Last month, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Malaysia might halt the annual F1 race due to declining ticket sales and TV viewership.

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali said he was not surprised at news suggesting that Singapore wanted to drop the race after 2017.

“It’s not only us, but other promoters are also suffering. The event itself is difficult to sustain.

“If the whole product is not as exciting as it needs to be, it makes no sense to continue with the present arrangement,” said Razlan.

In an interview with German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone claimed that Singapore might not extend the deal because it had achieved what it wanted with the GP.

“Yes, the Grand Prix has cost Singapore a lot of money but we’ve also given them a lot of money.

“Singapore was suddenly more than just an airport to fly to or from somewhere,” he said. “Now, they believe they have reached their goal and they do not want a Grand Prix anymore.”

The Singapore race had seen the poorest ticket sales since it began in 2008.