https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2017/4/2017-race-to-be-malaysias-f1-farewell.html
Funnily enough I love this track. Only downside is during heavy rain and the river that flows... Really weird to think it's been almost 20 years since their first race! I still remember watching the 2001 race as a 12 year old and my heart dropping when both Schumacher and Barrichello fell off at the same corner when it started raining, both just missing the wall...then Verstappen running 2nd and in the end the Ferrari's taking a 1-2 still. Unbelievable.
I'm sad that Sepang is going,have been there for quite a few F1 races and also lower formula/GT cars and of course Moto GP. It is a great track and has produced some superb racing over the years.The ticket cost has been amazingly low by European standards.Where else can you get a 3 day earlybird ticket (F grandstand)with a really good view of the track including the start finish line, including after race concerts ,for $50? The race has been a big loss maker ,supported by the Government ,but they finally decided enough was enough. Anyhow it is worth the trip if anyone get's chance.
It is difficult to believe that it's been around for 19 years. If someone would have asked me I wouldn't have guessed it's been that long. In some regards after 19 years, like the track or not, it has it's own F1 history now, however getting France back alone is enough for the sacrifice, let alone both France and Germany, that's a great trade.
Certainly getting 2 European tracks back is great, no doubt! Personally I'd get rid of Sochi or Shanghai (both in remote holes) in return for Sepang, lol.
Yes was a bit apprehensive of naming Shanghai as it's provided good racing. Think my judgement was a bit clouded as I'd quite like to visit the Malaysian GP, but not the Chinese one. Funnily enough I quite like Russia but Sochi is just so far out of the way I'd never think of visiting that race. They should have a track near in St Petersburg or Moscow, I'd love to go there.
The only right and sustainable strategy is to find venues and promoters that are able to host a race without government subsidies. If the fee needs to come down to make that happen, then so be it.
And I love them for it. I'm very happy with Liberty so far, they really want to do the right things. Doesn't seem like a short term project this which is wonderful. +1
The Sepang Circuit is a terrific track, but locally there is little interest in F1, and its not a destination for the traditional jet set type that the F1 fan base is known for. Going forward the track will do much better with MotoGP then it could ever hope to do with F1.
I'm liking Liberty. Bernie went Asian simply for money not the health of F1. Liberty seem to understand, although early days, that F1 is actually a sport not a financial/wealth company. Pete
Sad to see sepang go. I liked that track. Hopefully they will kill off Sochi and Bahrain soon. Plus Hungary. Hate that track. Good to see the euro classics coming back though.
Agreed. I love the Hungaroring. Great track. Just make sure you have a good seat if you visit and don't try GA.
Also agreed, Hungaroring would be a massive loss IMO. Though I do think the track needs updating, by way of making the straight quite a bit longer and copying T1. It's not just now but always, the straight has been just too short for overtaking when dry. There's space easily, so adding a few hundred meters onto it would be easy.
Good riddance to Malaysia. Agree with others about dropping more middle east tracks, and Hungary too (it's much too slow, and should be replaced with A1 ring). Also would like the season pared down to 17 or 18 races, and not go into the month of November.
