F1 could return to fan-favourite track eight years after being axed from calendar | F1 | Sport
A popular circuit may be about to return to the F1 calendar eight years after it was axed following Liberty Media’s takeover of the series in 2017. The current owners have introduced several new tracks over the last few years, with the likes of Miami, Jeddah and Las Vegas joining the schedule. Others have dropped off the radar, with countries like Germany and France no longer hosting races.
Malaysia is another nation to have been axed despite the Sepang International Circuit being a favourite with racing fans. A race at the iconic track was held annually from 1999 until 2017, when it was removed from the calendar due to financial concerns. However, organisers are increasingly hopeful that it could return to the schedule at some point.
The issue of funding remains a stumbling block, with the Malaysian government unwilling to provide enough money to host the event. Nevertheless, rumours of a comeback are gathering pace even if a return appears unlikely in the near future.
Azhan Shafriman Hanif, chief executive of the Sepang circuit, told Autosport: “I’m pretty sure Formula One will come back some day, but not now.
“I think the government’s effort right now is solely focusing on what the public needs rather than spending millions of dollars and ringgit to pay for Formula One.
“I do believe with the right support from corporate in the future and so on, maybe we can bring it back. But at the moment, it’s a no for us. But I do hope Formula One comes back one day.”
Asked if it would be possible to host an F1 race without government funding, Hanif replied: “I wouldn’t say it’s impossible. We just need to find the right partner to come in.
“But of course, when they pay high money, assets and so on, what do they get back in return? So those are the things that we need to consider and we need to discuss further.
“Then again, if ever Formula One were to come back, we are ready to host. And hopefully, the government won’t be burdened by the rights fee.”
For a race at Sepang to be held in the near future, at least one of the existing events would need to be axed. That is because the F1 calendar is already at maximum capacity with 24 races on the schedule.
A potential bid from Malaysia will also face stiff competition from other countries. The government of Thailand has already set aside over £911million for a future street race to be held in Bangkok.
There is also demand for an event to be held in Africa, which has been absent from the F1 calendar since 1993. Rwanda would appear to be the most likely candidate but a return to South Africa has also been mooted as a possibility.
Two spaces could open up on the calendar in the coming years, with Zandvoort dropping out after 2026 and Spa-Francorchamps joining the rotation system that will see it overlooked in 2028 and 2030.
