Formula One could lose two of the most established races in Asia over the next few years according to recent reports.
The future of the Malaysian Grand Prix has been uncertain for in recent months as indications suggested officials both at Sepang and in Kuala Lumpur were unhappy with the current product.
Now it seems almost guaranteed that the race, which joined the calendar back in 1999, will not renew its current contract with FOM which expires after 2018.
“From the longer term perspective, it’s probably the correct decision because it’s more expensive and no longer that attractive,” culture and tourism minister Nazri Abdul Aziz was quoted by the BBC.
Earlier comments made by the CEO of the Sepang Circuit Datuk Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali suggested the race organisers felt the sport had become too predictable and that the event was not good value for money.
“Maybe it will do Malaysia good to take a break,” was Ahmad Razali’s his final conclusion.
But while Sepang’s pending departure in two years time was somewhat anticipated, there is confusion regarding the nearby night race in Singapore.
Over the weekend, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was reported in the German media as claiming the city-state had achieved its aim of using the sport to increase the country’s profile and that it no longer wanted to continue hosting the sport with only one year left on the current contract.
However, speaking with the Straits Times in Singapore, the supremo’s tone was significantly different.
“My words were taken in a funny way,” Ecclestone said. “What I said was simple – no decision has been taken yet.
“F1’s stand is to hopefully continue in Singapore. Everybody is happy to be in Singapore and don’t want to lose Singapore.
“Negotiations are ongoing and will be sorted out shortly… before the end of the year, I’m sure. We want to extend long term. We’ll see what happens.”
Around the time of the event, back in September, officials, much like Sepang, had indicated that ensuring value for money was key in deciding the future of the race.
However, Singapore has been a great success story for F1 in Asia, attracting fans from all around the world and also becoming a much broader event with a week of entertainment including big-name concerts to accompany a truly unique Grand Prix.
Therefore, to even hint that the event at Marina Bay could be lost would be a major blow to the marketability of the sport worldwide. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen.
