With the 2022 Grand Prix of Malaysia, with new title sponsor Petronas, scheduled for October this 12 months, preparations are underway to welcome the return of worldwide sporting occasions to Sepang International Circuit (SIC). Since ISC is the house of Malaysian motorsports, this offers rise to the social media hashtag “welcome home” for this 12 months’s MotoGP, explains SIC chief government officer Aznan Shafriman Hanif.
“The two year’s of not having any major motorsports events at Speang, especially MotoGP, has been tough for us and for everyone. But with God’s grace, we have managed to pull through and we are all looking forward to the return of MotoGP to Sepang,” mentioned Shafriman. “The renewal of the Dorna MotoGP contract and Petronas coming onboard as the new title sponsor, taking over from Shell, is very good news,” he continued.
Shafriman additionally defined ticket costs for the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, to offer the occasion its full title, have elevated barely however mentioned this was unavoidable as a result of leisure tax imposed by the federal government. “There are also costs connected to the imposition of pandemic standard operating procedures which are unavoidable, more so in the case of an event as large as MotoGP,” Shafriman mentioned.
“However, with MotoGP coming back, we aim to put on a more inclusive, family oriented event at MotoGP,” he mentioned. “We have many ideas and things we want to implement, pending approval from the authorities, but we will be showcasing specific items like Malaysian cuisine and culture, having some family events and activities,” Shafriman mentioned.
“It should be noted that SIC ticket prices, despite Buriram in Thailand and the new Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia, remains on par in the region. Add to that the better infrastructure we have at SIC, including the upgraded restroom facilities and so on, allows Sepang to remain the premier motorsports destination for ASEAN,” mentioned Shafriman.
As for Petronas’ sponsorship heralding a potential return of Formula 1 to SIC, Shafriman mentioned his guess is nearly as good as anybody’s at this level. “That is something you have to ask Petronas,” Shafriman says with a smile, “they have their own plans.”
