Malaysia needs 5-year plan for F1 return, says FIA boss

Malaysia will need a business plan spanning at least five years if it wants to return to the Formula One calendar, says International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

He said Malaysia had the track, investment and motorsport foundation needed to host F1, but any return would require proper planning and a clear assessment of the economic and tourism benefits, Bernama reported.

The plan should cover how the race will be financed and promoted, as well as its logistical requirements, he said.

“Malaysia deserves it. We have a very good relationship, and the Formula One management is very open to this. You have to plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

“Have a business plan covering a minimum of five years, and we will support it,” he was quoted as saying at a media roundtable with selected Malaysian media on Sunday.

Ben Sulayem also said there was room for Malaysia on the calendar, noting that the championship could expand to 25 races from the current 24.

However, he stressed that FIA favoured having more teams rather than simply increasing the number of races.

“To us, balancing is one thing. But do we add another calendar? You know, I always said that having more teams is what I want rather than having more races. I need more teams,” he said.

Ben Sulayem was in Malaysia for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was held at the Sepang International Circuit from Oct 2 to 4 after being relocated from Bahrain because of disruptions caused by the conflict in West Asia.

Malaysia last hosted an F1 race in 2017. The government subsequently decided not to renew its contract amid concerns over the cost of hosting the event.

Ben Sulayem said Malaysia should look beyond F1 in developing its motorsport industry, pointing to karting, cross-car racing and rallying as more accessible forms of motorsport.

“You have a great fan base. You have enthusiasts. You have people who love motorsport. What do you give them?” he said.

He said the response to the Bahrain Grand Prix showed that Malaysian fans remained passionate about motorsport despite the country’s absence from the F1 calendar.

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