Sepang International Circuit generates $233 million from Bahrain Grand Prix
The relocated Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit attracted 261,000 fans and generated $233 million in revenue. Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari noted that the event drew 50,000 foreign tourists, prompting Malaysia to evaluate a potential return to the F1 calendar.
High attendance at Sepang
The Sepang International Circuit generated $233 million during its one-off hosting of the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix from 2 to 4 October. Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari told the Dewan Rakyat that the event attracted 261,000 fans over the race weekend, as an estimated 103,000 attended on race day, while the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix saw only 30,000 tickets sold. I find the presence of 50,000 foreign tourists and 5,000 foreign workers a clear sign of the race’s appeal. The ministry reported RM950 million in revenue from Formula One Management. This year’s hosting arrangement differed from previous editions because Bahrain covered the hosting rights fees through a collaboration with SIC. More than 97,000 tickets were sold this year.
| Event Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Weekend Fans | 261,000 |
| Race Day Fans | 103,000 |
| Total Tickets Sold | >97,000 |
| Revenue from F1M | RM950 million |
Financial hurdles for Malaysia
Malaysia is considering a return to the F1 calendar, potentially through a shared-race deal where one country hosts every few years alongside another. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held preliminary discussions with F1 management about this possibility. I see the high cost as a serious deterrent because "Staging F1 is not cheap," according to the minister. While Malaysia spent between RM10mn and RM16mn on preparations this year, previous annual hosting costs reached approximately RM300mn. The government must also decide if they can obtain the same returns every year without affecting allocations for athlete development. This decision comes as competition for calendar space grows, such as the government of Rwanda and F1 announcing a 10-year deal for a new African Grand Prix in Kigali starting in 2030 at the earliest. A shared slot would not be new for F1, as Spa is scheduled to host in 2027, 2029 and 2031, while Barcelona takes 2028, 2030 and 2032. The committee includes all ministries and the Chief Secretary to the Government. They will assess the cost, the likely return on investment, and the country’s readiness before recommending if the race should become a regular event again. The minister also noted that the government must evaluate various infrastructure requirements to ensure success. The committee expects to complete its report by the end of November for a Cabinet decision.
