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

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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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
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 (32)
  • Place of b. Kuala Lumpur, MY
  • Weight 65 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
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