Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that there is a chance that the Malaysian GP could return to F1. The last F1 race in the Asian country was in 2017.
He was speaking to the media regarding the installation of new flood lights throughout the Sepang International Circuit (SIC). Many wondered if it was a sign that the circuit was ready to host the F1 race once again.
Mohaman had earlier driven a Ferrari car around the 5.543 kilometer track. This gesture was meant to symbolise the official opening of the ‘Circuit Lights’.
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Dr Mahathir also pointed out that the lighting rate of the flood lights was much higher than required. This was just in case the circuit wished to host any night races.
“If for the F1, the lighting must be much brighter because the present brightness is not bright enough. It will make it difficult to carry out broadcasting work,” he said.
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According to the 93-year old, the SIC had the potential to become a motorsports city. In other words, it could serve as a platform for the advancement of motorsports in the country.
“Sepang can become a motorsports city where everybody who is interested in such activity or engineering can come here and learn how to move forward in this field,” he said.
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In the meantime, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that it was up to the Cabinet to decide the Malaysian F1 GP’s fate.
The circuit had previously dropped out because of poor attendance and losses. However, the last race was a fairly exciting race. One can guarantee that a lot of F1 fans miss the circuit. So the question is, will the Sepang International Circuit return to the Formula One calendar sometime in the near future.