Malaysia could give up Formula One race

Malaysia has featured on the F1 calendar since 1999, hosted by the Sepang International Circuit.

Published : Oct 25, 2016 11:39 IST

Lewis Hamilton walks out of Malaysia Grand Prix after engine failure.
Lewis Hamilton walks out of Malaysia Grand Prix after engine failure.
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Lewis Hamilton walks out of Malaysia Grand Prix after engine failure.

Organisers of the Malaysia Grand Prix have suggested taking a break from hosting the event due to Formula One becoming boring.

Malaysia has featured on the F1 calendar since 1999, hosted by the Sepang International Circuit.

However, the track's chief executive Datuk Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali says dwindling ticket sales and a television audience that has fallen to its "lowest in history" should prompt a temporary hiatus.

"Maybe it will do Malaysia good to take a break," Razlan told local media. "I think the product is no longer exciting. It's being dominated by one team."

Razlan's claims appear strange when put against this year's race, which could be viewed as a turning point in the race for the F1 title.

Lewis Hamilton appeared set to take a victory, and the lead of the championship with it, over Nico Rosberg, but an engine failure cost the Briton and allowed Daniel Ricciardo to steal in for Red Bull.

Next season's raft of regulations are set to make the field much more competitive again, but Razlan's suggestion was backed up by Malaysia's Youth and Sport Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

"I think we should stop hosting the F1. At least for a while. Cost too high, returns limited," Jamaluddin said on Twitter.

"When we first hosted the F1 it was a big deal. First in Asia outside Japan. Now so many venues. No first mover advantage. Not a novelty.

"For the record I still think we should host MotoGP. 1) Cheaper fee and cost, 2) Sellout crowd, 3) We have riders in Moto2 and 3."

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