Malaysia explores possibility of returning as Formula One circuit

The last victory at the Sepang circuit is credited to Max Verstappen. The first race was held in 1999, but after 18 years the curtain fell on the circuit in Malaysia due to high costs. Much to the chagrin of many fans and the drivers, who had the challenging circuit high on their list of favourites.

Early this year, they were still looking at the option of returning to Malaysia as a replacement for the Russian Grand Prix, which was scrapped when Russia invaded Ukraine. But Formula 1 decided not to choose a replacement for the scrapped race and the spot on the calendar remained empty. But there is an itch among the circuit's organisers and Azhan Shafriman Hanif, CEO of the Sepang International Circuit, is considering hosting Formula One races at the circuit again, according to The Jakarta Post.

Sepang should serve wider purpose

That would not be for the 2023 or 2024 calendar. Hanif would rather think of a time frame of two to three years. That would give the country time to stabilise the economy and look at how the circuit would want to profile itself in view of the Sepang International Circuit brand, how it positions itself for environmental conservation and how it can have a beneficial effect on the local economy. But also, the circuit wants to have a broader purpose than just hosting the Formula One race. It has to have a broader perspective. What exactly that means, that is what the organisation will now consider.

So in the short term, Formula 1 will not return to Malaysia, but it seems that the circuit is in the process of looking at the conditions under which they want and can return to the calendar.