Malaysia will drop its Formula 1 race once its current contract ends in 2018, according to the country’s tourism and culture minister.
The race has been on the F1 calendar since 1999, with the Sepang International Circuit proving to be a popular layout with the drivers.
However, in recent years the Malaysian Grand Prix has been plagued by low attendance figures and television viewers have reportedly fallen too.
Malaysia has a deal to host two more F1 races but tourism and culture minister Nazri Abdul Aziz told local media on Monday there will be no Malaysian GP after 2018.
“The current agreement is from 2016 to 2018. So once that ends, there will be no more [F1]," he explained.
“F1 attendance is dropping and there is less attraction now. We are spending RM 300 million a year [$97 million].
“The cost of hosting F1 has increased 10-fold compared to the first time it was held.”
It comes after Bernie Ecclestone said Singapore is looking to ditch its F1 race once the current deal comes to an end.
