Hosting F1 has put Malaysia on world map, says Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (second from right) with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (third from right) at Sepang on Sunday. -Bernama

 

SEPANG: Hosting the F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix has paid dividends, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“It is a good event for us because it puts Malaysia on the world map,” he told reporters yesterday after the race at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

“It shows that Malaysia can host an international event of this stature. We are pleased with the support from the local and international community. It is a positive event for Malaysia.”

When asked whether the contract to host the race would be extended beyond 2015, he said: “We will seriously look into it because we have to look into the terms. We will make a decision when the time comes.”

Najib said it was good that Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton had a podium finish while his teammate Nico Rosberg came in fourth.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said bringing Formula 1 to Malaysia had “more than met my initial target”, adding that he hoped the race would be extended beyond 2015.

“I didn't expect three Malaysian teams to be racing,” he said.

“It has grown in terms of participants, spectators and interest in motorsports.”

SIC chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir said the atmosphere was more exciting this year although the number of spectators had not met their target of 90,000.

A total of 123,400 spectators came for the three-day event, with 88,450 turning up on race day.

(Source: The Star Online)