The F1 calendar has changed substantially since Liberty Media\u2019s takeover, with several new venues replacing traditional circuits on the schedule.<\/p>\n
In recent years, traditional European circuits<\/a> have been the most at risk of losing their slots.<\/p>\n Belgium\u2019s Spa circuit is a useful case study related to this shift. The iconic circuit will only feature in F1 on a rotational basis when their new contract takes effect in 2026.<\/p>\n F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali<\/a> has emphasised that a circuit\u2019s history in the sport is not enough to guarantee a space on the calendar.<\/p>\n At the same time, this does not mean previous F1 Grand Prix \u2013 like Malaysia \u2013 should be ruled out from making a comeback.<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n Malaysian GP CEO explains roadmap back to F1<\/p>\n Circuits often divide opinion in Formula 1<\/a>, with some receiving a more positive response from fans than others.<\/p>\n Then again, there are some races that are almost unanimously seen as entertaining and worthy of a place on the calendar.<\/p>\n For a long time, Malaysia\u2019s Sepang International Circuit fell under this category.<\/p>\n Sepang\u2019s unique layout and unpredictable weather conditions consistently created exciting and dramatic races.<\/p>\n Many of F1\u2019s iconic most races from the last decade (such as the 2012, 2013 and 2016 editions) were at Sepang.<\/p>\n However, at a time when competition to join the calendar was less fierce, the Malaysian GP organisers did not sign a new contract with F1.<\/p>\n This decision, CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif argues, was a crucial mistake.<\/p>\n The Sepang International boss explains that whilst returning to the sport is challenging, it it not impossible.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past,\u201d he told the New Straits Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe let Formula 1 go, and now it is very hard to get it back\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a waiting lase to get back in [F1], and of course, the costs are very expensive. We were quoted $70 million race fees [for a calendar slot].\u201d<\/p>\n Hanif explains that returning to F1 necessitates strong commitment:<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not just SIC [Sepang International Circuit] that wants Formula 1. <\/p>\n \u201cMany stakeholders, from both the government as well as the corporate sector, also want it back.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to look at how Singapore is hosting it. They have everyone onboard in making it a success\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIt has to belike that if we bring it back here.\u201d<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n Is an F1 return to Malaysia realistic?<\/p>\n For more reasons than one, Formula 1\u2019s absence from Sepang has been a huge loss in recent seasons.<\/p>\n Aside from the circuit\u2019s history of producing excellent races, it is a circuit wide enough to accommodate the current generation of cars \u2013 something other venues struggle to accomplish.<\/p>\n From a financial perspective, it will be difficult \u2013 but not impossible \u2013 for Malaysia to make a comeback.<\/p>\n Assuming the race has support from various stakeholders, Sepang could undoubtedly make a convincing bid to Liberty Media.<\/p>\n With some tracks (such as Spa<\/a>) only signing contracts to stay in F1 on a semi-permanent basis, there will be openings for Sepang in the future.<\/p>\n Whilst a return in 2026 is unlikely, there are enough expiring contracts to make a comeback in 2027 or 2028 possible.<\/p>\n Of course, with the likes of Portimao<\/a> and Istanbul<\/a> also in talks with Liberty Media, this will be an intense process.<\/p>\n Main photo: Clive Mason\/Getty Images (via Red Bull content pool)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The F1 calendar has changed substantially since Liberty Media\u2019s takeover, with several new venues replacing traditional circuits on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":81418,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[441],"tags":[49,48,578,36899,576,577,49078,49079,82],"class_list":["post-81417","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-f1","tag-f1-2025-season","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-malaysia-gp","tag-sepang","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81417","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81417"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81417\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81417"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}