How much did Malaysia pay in annual F1 licence fees between 1999 and 2017?

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Malaysia Paid Hundreds of Millions of Ringgits Annually for F1 Licence Fees Between 1999 and 2017

Between 1999 and 2017, Malaysia incurred substantial annual licence fees to Formula One Management (FOM) for hosting the Grand Prix. These payments amounted to hundreds of millions of ringgits each year, representing a significant financial commitment. For the 2026 race, Malaysia is exempt from this fee, as Bahrain, whose race was cancelled, is covering the estimated US$70 million to US$80 million cost.
Annual Licence Fee Amount

The licence fees paid by Malaysia to FOM during its tenure as a host country were in the hundreds of millions of ringgits annually. While the exact figure for each year between 1999 and 2017 is not specified, the scale of these payments was substantial enough to become a point of contention for the government.
Reason for Contract Termination

The substantial FOM licence fees, alongside fluctuating attendance numbers and the value of broadcast rights, were consistently cited by the government as the primary reasons for the decision to end the contract in 2017. This financial burden made hosting the F1 race a difficult proposition to justify to taxpayers.
Financial Comparison for 2026

In contrast to the past, Malaysia is hosting the 2026 F1 race without bearing the significant licence fee. Bahrain's payment of between US$70 million (RM298 million) and US$80 million covers the FOM fee for its original race slot, which Malaysia is now occupying. This arrangement effectively means Malaysia is receiving the global spotlight of F1 without its largest historical cost.
Preparation Costs for 2026

The financial outlay for Malaysia for the upcoming 2026 race is considerably lower than in previous hosting years. Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman indicated that the estimated cost to prepare SIC for the event is approximately RM40 million, a fraction of the former annual licence fees.

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How much did Malaysia pay in annual F1 licence fees between 1999 and 2017?

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