FIA president: Malaysia needs five-year business plan for F1 return

SEPANG: Malaysia would need a minimum five-year business plan covering the commercial, promotional and logistical requirements of hosting Formula One if it wants to make a permanent return to the championship.

Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said that the possibility of Malaysia returning to the F1 calendar remains open, but any move would require proper planning.

"The investment and the track are both great. You can see that a lot of things have improved. Anything is possible. I mean, look at the calendar. It is changing," he told a media roundtable with selected Malaysian media on Sunday.

Ben Sulayem was in Malaysia for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, held on Oct 2-4 at the Sepang International Circuit.

The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix was supposed to take place on April 10-12. However, following the disruption arising from the West Asia conflict, it was rescheduled and held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Can Malaysia make a comeback to the F1 calendar?

On Sunday, the Motorsports Association of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir said he believes the SIC has the capability and experience to host F1 again should Malaysia decide to return to the championship.

He said SIC's experience in organising F1 remains intact, allowing the circuit's management to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Ben Sulayem said Malaysia has a strong motorsport foundation and noted the improvements made to the circuit, but stressed that a long-term business plan would be crucial for any bid for a permanent F1 return.

"Malaysia deserves it. We have a very good relationship, and Formula One Management (FOM) 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 said.

Ben Sulayem added that the plan would need to address how the event would be financed and promoted, as well as the logistical aspects.

However, he said Malaysia would first have to determine whether hosting the F1 is in the country's interests and fits its economic and tourism policies.

He noted that F1 is commercially stronger today, with greater public interest in the championship.

Asked whether there was room on the F1 calendar for Malaysia to return, particularly with several races already held in the Asia-Pacific region, Ben Sulayem said geographical balance was among the considerations.

He highlighted races in Australia, China, Singapore and Japan, adding that the championship could legally expand to 25 races from the current 24.

Ben Sulayem stressed that the 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, adding that Malaysia's motorsport ambitions should extend beyond F1.

"You have a great fan base. You have enthusiasts. You have people who love motorsport. What do you give them?" he said, while advocating more accessible forms of motorsport, including karting, cross-car and rallying.

He said the response to the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia showed that the country's motorsport enthusiasts had remained despite the country's absence from the F1 calendar.

Bahrain-Malaysia Cooperation

Ben Sulayem expressed satisfaction with the staging of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, describing the organisation as impressive, particularly the logistical effort and cooperation between Malaysian and Bahraini personnel.

"You have Malaysians and Bahrainis together from the start until the finish. The harmonisation, here on the ground, that's what really amazed me. It is very impressive," he said.

He said the event also benefited Malaysians by reviving experience in areas such as marshalling, volunteering and event organisation, and commended Malaysian motorsport fans and staff for being knowledgeable and passionate.

Asked about the overall organisation, particularly traffic management, Ben Sulayem said the focus should be on finding solutions rather than assigning blame.

"Everybody can complain, but do you have a solution?" he said. -- BERNAMA