Organisers in Malaysia confirmed that the contract to hold the Malaysia Grand Prix will not be renewed once it expires in 2018.
“After 2018 no longer,” the Malaysia the tourism and culture minister Nazri Abdul Aziz told reporters in parliament when asked about the future of the event.
Talk of the event being dropped first emerged last month when sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin took to Twitter to question why the country should continue hosting a race which has seen hosting fees rise by 10% year on year whilst at the same time witnessing ticket sales decrease by the same percentage.
“When we first hosted the F1 it was a big deal,” he tweeted. “First in Asia outside Japan. Now so many venues. No first mover advantage. Not a novelty.
“F1 ticket sales declining, TV viewership down,” he continued. “Foreign visitors down because can choose Singapore, China, Middle East. Returns are not as big.
“For the record I still think we should host MotoGP…1) Cheaper fee and cost, 2) Sell-out crowd, 3) We have riders in Moto2 and 3.”
I think we should stop hosting the F1. At least for a while. Cost too high, returns limited. https://t.co/1XQxuS2CO5
— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) October 24, 2016
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.
— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) October 24, 2016
F1 ticket sales declining, TV viewership down. Foreign visitors down b/c can choose Singapore, China, Middle East. Returns are not as big.
— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) October 24, 2016
For the record I still think we should host Moto GP. 1) Cheaper fee & cost, 2) Sellout crowd, 3) We have riders in Moto 2 & 3.
— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) October 24, 2016
