33 replies to this topic

[sesku]

Nov.28 (GMM) Razlan Razali, the boss of the Malaysian grand prix, has admitted that 2015 could be the Sepang circuit's last formula one race.

He told Isportconnect it is "too early to even think" about whether the existing contract will be extended.

"I think for the event to be successful and to even consider the event going beyond 2015, and paying lots of money to formula one, FOM must help the circuit to try and allow us to do as much as possible to get spectators to come to the circuit," said Razali.

He said another issue is the race's late start time.

"Put it this way," said Razali, "in the event that we decide to go beyond 2015, there are various key points that we insist upon changing before we even talk about (it), including the starting time."

http://www.motorspor...aysian-gp-boss/

So what you guys think? I think Sepang did OK-ish compared to some new tilkedrome circuit in term of attendant and revenue. The action on the track is good. For me the late start time is the worst thing for Sepang and it not really Sepang's fault. Driver and a lot fans love the track and it is one for the cheapest Grand Prix to attend.

[Risil]

One of the few places where MotoGP is out-promoting and out-drawing Formula One.

[encircled]

16 years is a good run.

[Fastcake]

I hope not, Sepang a good circuit and I enjoy watching most races there. Besides there's Malaysian money in the sport now, I'm sure Fernandes would want his home GP to stay on the calendar.

[BackmarkerUK]

Probably the best of what I think of as 'new' circuits. The main problem I have with Sepang is that they have the torrential rain causing the race to be red flagged every other year. There are definitely tracks I would rather see removed from the calendar.

[03011969]

And the prize for 'Not News' goes to...

[BoschKurve]

I have to admit, while I despise Tilke's designs generally, Sepang is a nice circuit overall.

The start time is absurd though. Why is it so late anyway?

[wj_gibson]

I have to admit, while I despise Tilke's designs generally, Sepang is a nice circuit overall.

The start time is absurd though. Why is it so late anyway?

So that it better suits the European TV audience, basically. Prior to Singapore coming along there was a lot of talk about Sepang being pressured into installing floodlights so it could be F1's first night race so that it could even better suit European TV (Melbourne is at 5pm for the same reasons, even though this means that any Montreal 2011-style situation is going to mean race abandonment, as so nearly happened in Korea in 2010 and as acrtually happened at Sepang in 2009).

[Kelateboy]

I hope not, Sepang a good circuit and I enjoy watching most races there. Besides there's Malaysian money in the sport now, I'm sure Fernandes would want his home GP to stay on the calendar.

Petronas will make sure that it will stay on the calendar.

Hosting a formula 1 is not that expensive to a company that last year made a net profit of US21.915B.

[Tuxy]

Bring back Imola.

[Frank Tuesday]

The start time is absurd though. Why is it so late anyway?

March and April are the wettest months, and tropical rains tend to fall very heavy in the afternoon. For the best chance to avoid rain, you either go early (10 or 11 am) , or late.

[silencer]

PETRONAS will surely want their "home race" with Mercedes
so I don't think Sepang will be drop out from the calendar
unless PETRONAS pull out their sponsorship from F1 team and not involve in F1 anymore

[SpaMaster]

He is just playing a Bernie. He is negotiating for less FOM fee and earlier start time.

[BoschKurve]

So that it better suits the European TV audience, basically. Prior to Singapore coming along there was a lot of talk about Sepang being pressured into installing floodlights so it could be F1's first night race so that it could even better suit European TV (Melbourne is at 5pm for the same reasons, even though this means that any Montreal 2011-style situation is going to mean race abandonment, as so nearly happened in Korea in 2010 and as acrtually happened at Sepang in 2009).

I did hear there was similar pressure on Melbourne to do the same thing with the lights, or still is...I'm not sure. Supposedly Adelaide might be willing to make the concession with the lights in order to get the GP back. Not that I'd mind as I always preferred Adelaide to Melbourne.

But, even this year's Malaysian GP did come close to running out of daylight due to the rain. Truthfully, I think they should care less about the time the race is broadcast in Europe, and plan it so there is adequate time if in the event of inclement weather, to be able to finish the race with enough daylight left. Of course the other thing too, would be just to eliminate the race altogether, and add another European circuit back so this isn't an issue.

[Kelateboy]

Bring back Imola.

Could they pay Bernie's asking price?

[F1ultimate]

Sepang is a lovely circuit both to watch F1 drivers race on, and to play in F1 2012. It has such a great variation of technical corners and fast sections which truly challenge you.

I would miss it.

[sesku]

One of the few places where MotoGP is out-promoting and out-drawing Formula One.

yeah... MotoGP look like a much popular event in Sepang than F1, the attendant for this year motoGP is record breaking. Maybe because of moto3 Zulfahmi Khairuddin and the fact that Malaysian Motorcycle GP is in calendar for quite some time.

[Atreiu]

Honestly, with such a proliferation of Tilke-o-Domes around the world, it has ben a while since Sepang has been something unique that I looked forward to. And Singapore has been an instant hit with me. So I wouldn't really miss it.

[Rob]

yeah... MotoGP look like a much popular event in Sepang than F1, the attendant for this year motoGP is record breaking. Maybe because of moto3 Zulfahmi Khairuddin and the fact that Malaysian Motorcycle GP is in calendar for quite some time.

Even before Sepang, there was a Malaysian round at Shah Alam, then briefly at Johor. Zulfahmi has definitely helped - the attendance was huge this year. It ought to be the same again in 2013.

Sepang is Tilke's best track. By a long way.

[BoschKurve]

Could they pay Bernie's asking price?

The latest round of renovations restored Imola back to the FIA Grade 1 status. I think it was all done with the intention of trying to get the San Marino GP back one day.

But, the new start/finish straight, and the pits look a little blah to me. I don't know, I miss the old look it had. But they did knock out the Variante Bassa completely. It's a straight run from the second of the Rivazza corners down to the Tamburello Chicane. Granted, it's more in line now with what Imola was originally, as it was once a flat run all the way from Rivazza to the Tossa.

[BRG]

Bernie's master plan is starting to come unstitched at the seams. His vaunted 'new races' outside Europe are discovering that they have been stiffed out of millions and the assumed benefits have not been forthcoming. Korea, China, Turkey and now Malaysia have discovered that their home audiences are simply not very interested in FOM's product and now they want a big cut in fees.

Already Bernie is sniffing around to get three races in the US and one in Mexico and maybe Argentina, the great new Asian market has proved an illusion. Soon he will be telling us all how Europe is the future and deserves more races.

[FNG]

Too bad, it's my favourite track of all the new ones. Love Sepang!

[johnmhinds]

Has there ever been an exciting race at Sepang?

It has just kinda always been a filler track, there but not doing much for the sport (other than money) just like the other swamp tracks in China and Korea.

[Risil]

Has there ever been an exciting race at Sepang?

C'mon, I know it was over seven months ago, but try to remember.

[Sakae]

Bernie's master plan is starting to come unstitched at the seams. His vaunted 'new races' outside Europe are discovering that they have been stiffed out of millions and the assumed benefits have not been forthcoming. Korea, China, Turkey and now Malaysia have discovered that their home audiences are simply not very interested in FOM's product and now they want a big cut in fees.

Already Bernie is sniffing around to get three races in the US and one in Mexico and maybe Argentina, the great new Asian market has proved an illusion. Soon he will be telling us all how Europe is the future and deserves more races.

Possible. Grand Prix was embraced some one hundred years ago by French. Asia at large has no viable horses in this race, just initial curiosity which may or may not last, so what are they suppose to embrace? They adopted Schumacher in his prime, but case of Kobayashi makes you wonder who is committed to what.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

Has there ever been an exciting race at Sepang?

It has just kinda always been a filler track, there but not doing much for the sport (other than money) just like the other swamp tracks in China and Korea.

Strange thing to say. There have indeed been exciting races there, as at China.

[KavB]

I can't recall a boring race at Malaysia. The past few years have certainly been entertaining, even if not amazing.

[sesku]

http://www.isportcon...t...&Itemid=436

Full interview with Sepang International Circuit boss, Razlan Razali. Good story on the difference between FOM and Dorna on how they deal with the circuit operator.

Edited by sesku, 29 November 2012 - 07:22.

[superuser]

Good riddance. I can't remember how many races were SC processions because of all the rain. It's one thing to rain but there always pours and the race is stopped.

[Peat]

It's one of the few good Tilke tracks.

Re: start time - I never understood why they moved it back. Wheather it's a 5am or 7am start (GMT) it's still 'early' for a Sunday morning and it will always be the same people in Europe who wake up especially to watch it.

[Kelateboy]

Too bad, it's my favourite track of all the new ones. Love Sepang!

And the cheapest GP on the calendar. For a ridiculously low USD11, you could watch a GP live on one of those hills. It is cheaper for an Aussie in Perth to watch a race in Sepang than to go to Phillip Island.

[RobertoLarcos]

Good riddance. I can't remember how many races were SC processions because of all the rain. It's one thing to rain but there always pours and the race is stopped.

It has rained in only three of the 14 races there. Of those, obviously 2009 was a farce, but 2001 and 2012 were exciting races. It's hardly year after year of safety car processions!

And the cheapest GP on the calendar. For a ridiculously low USD11, you could watch a GP live on one of those hills. It is cheaper for an Aussie in Perth to watch a race in Sepang than to go to Phillip Island.

Agreed - it is ridiculously cheap. Even the grandstand seats are inexpensive - last year I paid just over 100 pounds for a three-day front-row seat in the main grandstand, right in line with pole position. The views from the GA hills are superb - you could see the cars for longer than most other GP circuits.

I think Sepang is a great track and I hope the Malaysian GP remains on the calendar for years to come

[Raelene]

I went for first time last year and it is very very good value for money - I spent SG$150 (US$120) for ticket (hill under cover), airfare from Singapore and 1 night at a hotel near the airport - quite a few of the teams were staying there as well. I've just booked my tickets for next year and they had an early bird special so half price - picked F grandstand this time as you get a view of over 60% of the track

Only real problem is getting to and from the track - I chose to stay near the airport as couldnt' stand the ride back to KL. I just booked a taxi to pick me up at hotel, and then meet me again after the race - still took over 1 hour just to drive the 10km

Edited by Raelene, 29 November 2012 - 09:09.

[spacekid]

Good riddance. I can't remember how many races were SC processions because of all the rain. It's one thing to rain but there always pours and the race is stopped.

That has a lot to do with the time of the race being moved in recent years. How many times has the race actually been stopped there?

I like the Malaysian circuit, to lose this and Turkey but potentially keep Bahrain? Would be a shame.