F1 return feasibility study to go to cabinet this month, says SIC chief

SEPANG: A feasibility study on bringing Formula One (F1) back to Malaysia is expected to be presented to the cabinet later this month.

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the study would examine hosting costs, circuit readiness, infrastructure facilities, and potential economic returns before the government makes any decision.

SIC, he said, would collaborate with the Finance Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry, while gathering feedback from the private sector, as well as the hospitality and food and beverage sectors.

"We expect the study to be presented towards the end of the month or in the third week of November, depending on the Cabinet meeting slot available to us.

"We need to look at all aspects, including costs, circuit readiness and infrastructure, as hosting F1 is no small undertaking. It is a national project," he told reporters after the 2026 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) at SIC yesterday.

Azhan said preliminary discussions with F1 commercial rights holders indicated that a race slot for Malaysia would only be available from 2029.

However, he said SIC would hold further discussions with F1 to explore near-term opportunities and other forms of collaboration.

He noted that cost and infrastructure preparations remained primary considerations given the substantial investment required.

SIC would also study the F1 tax mechanism to help the government recoup part of its investment by channelling returns from related economic activities back to the state, he said.