As the F1 circus touches down in Malaysia, it is possible this week's race will be the seventeenth and last at Sepang. Early this year, Malaysian race officials travelled to London to discuss their expiring contract with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Now, on the eve of the 2015 edition, a deal for next year and beyond still has not been struck. It is obvious the stumbling block is Ecclestone's race fee demands. "We are still in discussion with Formula One Management and studying the latest terms of agreement," said Sepang chairman Mokhzani Mahathir.
"We want a win-win situation," he is quoted by Bernama news agency. "There are several issues which I'm still not very satisfied and if we can discuss this further, we will renew the contract for another three years."
The Sepang chief also revealed that reigning champions Mercedes have extended their title sponsorship deal with Petronas, the government-owned Malaysian oil company. "It is learnt that Petronas has extended its sponsorship of Mercedes AMG team for another three years, and as such, it will be an impetus to hold the F1 in Sepang," said Mokhzani. (GMM)
Sepang wants a 'win-win situation' with new F1 deal
- Published on 24 Mar 2015 11:02
-
2
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Can Hadjar return at Monza despite hand injury?Isack Hadjar appeared in the Zandvoort paddock on Sunday with his left hand injury downplayed, prompting Red Bull to ...
25 Aug 2026 10:53 -
Red Bull and McLaren push to overturn Monaco result againRed Bull and McLaren bring their appeal to the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris today, challenging the deci...
25 Aug 2026 09:51 -
Montoya sees Newey's influence taking shape at Aston MartinJuan Pablo Montoya expects Aston Martin to take a significant step forward after the summer break, crediting Adrian N...
14 Aug 2026 14:09 -
Waché admits Red Bull still not at desired level despite recoveryRed Bull technical director Pierre Waché has acknowledged clear progress with the RB22, but insists the team i...
14 Aug 2026 16:04 -
Cadillac appoints Marcin Budkowski as new team boss with Ferrari pedigreeCadillac has appointed Marcin Budkowski as its new team principal, bringing in a senior figure who witnessed Ferrari&...
14 Aug 2026 15:06
Dutch Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Dutch Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Team profile
- Team name Mercedes
- Base Brackley, Germany
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Nico Rosberg 4
- Nico Rosberg 6
- Michael Schumacher 7
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 9
- Lewis Hamilton 10
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli 12
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- George Russell 63
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- 638,662 comments on Mercedes
59 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (2)
Login to replyPosts: 185
There's a common theme emerging here: The circuits can't afford the fee. If they do pay the fee then pass on the cost to the ticket buying public, people can't afford the tickets; the gate then dwindles meaning the circuit ends up making a loss. No one keeps a loss making event going long term. Bernie seems to be hell bent on killing off F1 imho.
Posts: 893
Except for the filthy rich Gulf states like Bahrain, Qatar, ... those high fees will become more and more of a problem. Why would you organize a race if it will cost you loads of money with no chance of making a profit?
Dwindling viewer numbers, teams going bust, races being cancelled, ... If this continues it won't be long until some major sponsors start backing out and it all falls apart.
Makes you think what's going on in Bernie his mind. Maybe he thinks because he made F1 big business that he has the right to destroy it instead of leaving it in good hands.