Sepang set to double its old F1 crowds as 'Bahrain' Grand Prix nears 100,000 tickets
Photo: Race Pictures
19:30, 29 Sep
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Sepang International Circuit has sold around 95,000 three-day tickets for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Circuit CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif expects the total to reach 100,000, which would be roughly double what the old Malaysian Grand Prix sold in its best years.
This race confirms Formula 1's return to Malaysia after a nine-year absence. Sepang staged the Malaysian GP every year from 1999 until it was dropped after 2017.
The Bahrain race had been due to be the fourth round of the season in April only it was called off along with Saudi Arabia because of the war in the Middle East.
In July, F1 confirmed Malaysia as host after an agreement between Formula 1, the FIA and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
We are confident that the number will reach 100,000. Looking at all the different races that F1 has done this year, the numbers have been phenomenal. We believe that the experience we have created here with Bahrain will be a spectacular one.- Azhan Shafriman Hanif, Sepang International Circuit CEO, speaking to Bernama and RTM
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Sepang set to beat the Malaysian GP's 'glory days'
Azhan compared this weekend's demand with the race Malaysia gave up almost a decade ago.
I think in the (Malaysian GP) glory days, it was close to somewhere around 40,000 to 50,000 tickets sold. But this time around, it's unprecedented. We have seen the strength of two powerful countries working together. It's a one-off event, so I think it's a pull for everyone.- Azhan Shafriman Hanif
Sepang's attendance record is still higher than this weekend's figure. The circuit's biggest three-day attendance was 126,690 in 2008. Even so, current sales are well ahead of what the event drew in its later years.
Falling crowds were a big reason the race disappeared. In late 2016, Malaysian officials said the circuit, which can hold 120,000 fans, drew just 45,000 to that year's grand prix. In April 2017, then-Prime Minister Najib Razak confirmed the race would end, citing "the low returns compared to the cost of hosting the race".
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Half of the buyers are from overseas
Tickets are only sold as three-day passes, with no single-day option. According to Azhan, international visitors account for half of all sales.
We have seen from the ticket buyers that 50 per cent are from overseas. This is good for us. The more tourists come over and spend, the better it is for the economy.- Azhan Shafriman Hanif
Bahrain keeps the ticket money
The record demand will not boost Sepang's own ticket revenue. Business Today reported earlier this month that Bahrain is paying the estimated US$70 million to US$80 million Formula One rights fee and will receive the ticketing revenue. Malaysia's commitment is expected to be around RM40 million to bring the circuit up to F1 standard.
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Malaysia is counting on visitor spending instead. Business Today quotes Bahrain International Circuit CEO Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa as estimating an economic impact of about US$240 million (RM979 million) for Malaysia. Hong Leong Investment Bank, cited by the New Straits Times, puts total economic output higher, at RM1.1 billion to RM1.3 billion.
Crowd forecasts also differ. On Monday, The Star reported that the weekend is expected to draw more than 110,000 spectators, which is higher than the circuit's current ticket count.
The fans who do turn up may face difficult conditions. GPblog has already looked at the forecast. The situation in the Middle East is also still hanging over the end of the season, with a decision not expected until the middle of the month.
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