Malaysian minister: "Use Grand Prix money to help Malasyian drivers"

  • Published on 28 Oct 2016 14:30
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Malaysian sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin believes that the money used to host the Malaysian Grand Prix could instead be used to boost the career's of Malaysian drivers.

Mr Jamaluddin earlier this week caused a stir by suggesting the government should no longer pay for a race each year at Sepang.

He told the local Bernama news agency that a better use of Malaysian money would be to help local talents like Jazeman Jaafar, Nabil Jeffri and Akash Nandy, who race in the lower categories GP2 and GP3.

"They have the potential, but no one is willing to sponsor them, when at the same time the government spends a large amount sponsoring a race which no longer brings returns, both sporting-wise or economically," he said.

Jamaluddin argues that a better route for Malaysia would be to start with a top driver, which would then build up local support and a F1 culture.

"We've had an F1 driver (Alex Yoong) but it's not a podium driver," he said.

"And if we don't have a driver, then there aren't many opportunities for mechanics and our officers to join a formula one team," he added.

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31 - Apr 2
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28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
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19 - May 21
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26 - May 28
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30 - Jul 2
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21 - Jul 23
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28 - Jul 30
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25 - Aug 27
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1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
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22 - Sep 24
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20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
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2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
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Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
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United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country MY
  • Date of b. Oct 24 1993 (29)
  • Place of b. Kuala Lumpur, MY
  • Weight 65 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
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