New Sepang Circuit CEO supports return of F1 – if the offer is good

The recently appointed SIC chief executive officer, Azhan Shafriman Hanif, said he would support the idea to host Formula One (F1) race again in the future, provided if the “offer is good”.

“It is not on my top priority at the moment, but if the opportunity comes by [to host F1 again] and the offer is good, I’m very supportive of this idea because this event (F1) brings the branding part of Malaysia," he told local publication Bernama, recently.

He added, “Let’s say if we agree to host the F1 race for a longer period, we will hold a discussion with the government since the hosting fee is not cheap and also the money that we spend must be worthy to the government and also the fans."

At this point of time, SIC is looking to strategize its business plans to generate incomes and also tackle high operating costs during the current Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO).

He also revealed that SIC is currently looking at collaborating with their partners for a virtual motorsports race and also organizing closed events without spectators or on a smaller scale if the Government still would not allow mass gatherings to be held for the next six months.

SIC remains as the only major motor racing circuit in Malaysia, popular among the drivers, riders and fans alike.