Il 2024 calendar it has already been presented by ben 4 months and all the cities are ready to host the highest category of Motorsport. As it should be, the historical circuits (i.e. those where the F1 has always been running) have a position privileged in choosing appointments. Every season, however, they try to evaluate each other new tracks or old tracks where it hasn't been raced for years, like the Malaysian GP which hopes for a possible return.
Malaysia off the calendar since 2017: the reason is financial
As mentioned, one of the biggest regrets of the FOM (Formula One Management) is without a doubt the failure to renew the Malaysian circuit in 2017. Among the tracks never built, one of favorite by the pilots. Long straights, very technical areas and unpredictable weather at any time of the year: a mix indeed charming. However, as the Malaysian sports minister explained Hannah Yeoh, to host a grand prix it takes millions and millions of dollars. Finances referred to the track did not have. For this reason, the renewal took place bloccato. These are the words of the Malaysian, where he reiterated how it's not simple at all organizing such an event: “F1 is really a very expensive sport. To tell you: we had to spend $4.500.000 just to improve the circuit. If we had the chance to host an F1 GP, we would have already done it, but at the moment we can't afford it".
Petronas to give hope for the return of the Malaysian GP
To get around the economic problem, the Asian circuit has entered into a partnership with Petronas. The contract includes a new name for the route, which passes by Sepang International Circuit a Petronas Sepang International Circuit. The appointment of MotoGP which will be raced this weekend will be called its own Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia.
Although it may seem trivial, the addition of the Petronas writing and the logo of the oil company around the track could even bring benefits billions of dollars. In general, however, rumors that speak of a weekend return to Sepang have been around since 2025 I'm alone rumors. But the push from the eastern circuit is strong: just think of how the number one company in the oil and fuel sector is also the title sponsor of the Mercedes. This means that there is a thread that connects this “soap opera” with F1.
Article by Francesco Orlando
