Malaysia spent RM70 million to host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, the Dewan Rakyat was told. This was part of the estimated RM350 million cost for the event, with Malaysia’s share being for maintenance and operations costs at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), with Bahrain bearing the remaining expenses, said the youth and sports ministry.
Offsetting that spend was the income generated into the economy, with the ministry reiterating that nearly RM950 million in total monetary value was injected into the Malaysian economy as a result of the event, which attracted approximately 261,000 spectators over the race weekend, including an estimated 103,000 on race day itself.
