Singapore should not host F1 race: Malaysian minister

The Straits Times, April 4, 2007


KUALA LUMPUR - There should be only one Formula One Grand Prix in southeast Asia, a top Malaysian minister said on Wednesday, but denied Malaysia was jittery over neighbouring Singapore's bid to host it.

'(The) region should have one F1 race. Singapore should not compete with Malaysia,' Sports Minister Azalina Othman Said told reporters.

'I am not worried. I have no concern with Singapore hosting the F1 race,' she added.

Commercial negotiations are under way and the wealthy Singapore government is prepared to offer support in order to host a F1 race in the city-state.

A decision is expected after this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.

Formula One driver Max Webber drove through the proposed street track in Singapore last weekend, fueling speculation that a decision is imminent.

Singapore's Trade and Industry minister S. Iswaran has told Parliament the country was taking a 'very serious look' at hosting an F1 race.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said two years ago that he regretted not having built a Formula One racetrack to generate more money for the local economy.

Ms Azalina said Malaysia had a far superior track and touted the country's hospitality service, which she said was a draw for race teams as well as tourists.

'I think Malaysia has one of the best tracks. We host the hottest race in the world. I don't think Singapore can challenge the F1 race in Malaysia,' said Ms Azalina.

'Singapore and Malaysia should be complementary,' she added.

Her comments were in contrast to those from Mr Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), who said last week the move by Singapore would create more regional awareness and interest in the sport.

'With Singapore hosting the race, it will only create more interest and we will probably get more spectators at Sepang,' he said.

However, Mr Mokhzani warned against holding the F1 races back-to-back, as that would 'cannibalise spectatorship'. Malaysia has stressed its commitment to ensuring it remains one of the legs of the F1 race beyond 2010.

The country hosted its first F1 Malaysian Grand Prix in 1999 and last year promoters SIC renewed the contract for another five years. -- AFP