Sepang circuit boss stays mum on F1 return

 Malaysia and Turkey are reportedly among the candidates to host a race on Oct 4, with F1 expected to make a decision during the mid-season break.

Sepang International Circuit boss Azhan Shafriman Hanif said they are bound to a non-disclosure agreement with the F1 commercial rights holder.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is keeping mum over speculation surrounding the possible return of Formula One races to Malaysia in October after nine years.

The circuit’s CEO, Azhan Shafriman Hanif, said they were unable to provide further details as they are bound to a non-disclosure agreement with Liberty Media, the F1 commercial rights holder.

Earlier today, youth and sports minister Dr Taufiq Johari said the ministry is conducting assessments on the possibility of hosting the F1 race at SIC to replace the Bahrain Grand Prix in October.

SIC hosted the Malaysian GP from 1999 to 2017 before it was removed from the calendar due to rising hosting costs and licensing fees.

Speculation about Malaysia being on the F1 calendar arose after the military conflict between the US and Iran caused the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races to be postponed.

Malaysia and Turkey are now among the candidates to host a race on Oct 4, according to a report by the German news agency DPA.

F1 is expected to make an early decision during the mid-season break after this weekend’s Hungarian GP in Budapest, before racing resumes at the end of August. - FMT