Following a three-year agreement signed with Petronas, one of the world’s largest petroleum companies, the Malaysian circuit will change its name from Sepang International Circuit to the new denomination Petronas Sepang International Circuit. The petroleum giant is also a major sponsor of Mercedes in Formula 1, raising hopes for a potential return of the Malaysian Grand Prix, absent from the calendar since 2017.
Malaysian GP: Significant Progress Toward the Return of Sepang to F1
“Formula 1 is very costly. We had to wait for $4.5 million from the government just to modernize the track. If we could host an F1 race, we would have done so already. But for now, we cannot afford to organize races.”
With these statements, Malaysian Minister of Sports Hannah Yeoh had conveyed some pessimism earlier this year about the prospects of seeing the Malaysian Grand Prix back on the calendar after the last edition in 2017, won by the young Max Verstappen.
The increasing demand from Formula 1 to host a Grand Prix requires a significant financial effort from organizers, and Malaysia was one of those countries that couldn’t meet Liberty Media‘s demands.
However, the newly signed agreement with Petronas could soon change the situation. The mega Malaysian sponsor will provide substantial financial support over the three years outlined in the new agreement, with MotoGP set to race at the Sepang circuit in just over a week.
The strong connection between Petronas and Mercedes could be another clear signal of reconciliation between Malaysia and Formula 1, with the circuit’s CEO, Azhan Shafriman Hanif, believing that the new agreement “will open doors to new opportunities to host other world-class events, being one of the motorsport industry leaders through its commitments to Formula 1 and MotoGP.”
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Additionally, Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, General Manager of Petronas for Group Strategic Relations and Communications, expressed her honor regarding the collaboration: “This partnership goes beyond mere naming rights. It signifies our commitment to promoting world-class events, nurturing talent development, and showcasing our nation’s capabilities on a global stage.”
The Sepang GP was a staple in the Formula 1 calendar for years. The first race took place in 1999, marking Michael Schumacher’s return to competition after his leg fracture suffered in the Silverstone Grand Prix. Memorable were the editions of 2009 in heavy rain and that of 2016, which witnessed Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic retirement, proving decisive in the title battle against then-Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.
Source: f1ingenerale
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