Mahathir: Malaysia can afford the Grand Prix

      Against the backdrop of preparations for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit, Malaysia is increasingly talking about the return of the national stage. The president of the motorsport federation, Tan Mahathir, believes that the country can afford it now.

      Tan Mahathir: "The value of money has changed. Previously, 100 million ringgits was a huge figure, but today it feels like the 50 million we used to pay.

      If I were in the government, we would consider the possibility of holding a national stage here, even if it cost us 100 million ringgits.

      At the moment, we have recouped our investments in building the Sepang circuit, earned enough money from hosting events, and are now using the circuit for free.

      When Liberty Media raised the cost of holding a Formula 1 stage in Malaysia from 50 to 100 million ringgits, it was too expensive for us; at that time, we were not ready to pay so much and exited the contract, but now the situation has changed, and we can afford it."