KUALA LUMPUR: Sepang International Circuit (SIC) are optimistic they will be given the green light to host the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) on Oct 29-31 by the authorities
SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said they will, however, need to be prepared with a strong set of standard operating procedures (SOP) if they are to gain the blessings of the National Security Council.
On a positive note, the entire world championship paddock and support staff have already received their vaccination shots during the Qatar rounds in Doha last month thanks to a joint initiative by MotoGP rights holders Dorna and the Qatari government.
The Malaysian GP was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Yes (I am aware of vaccinations), I was in Qatar recently to have a look at how MotoGP was being done in Doha in terms of protocol and SOP - in general to see how they controlled the whole event," said Shafriman.
"If we can apply the same SOP and protocols here. I have full confidence that we will be able to go ahead with MotoGP here this year."
Shafriman disclosed that regional level races such as the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) could serve as a dry run for the Malaysian GP.
ARRC organisers are keen on going ahead with the series at Sepang this year but this also remains subject to approval.
"That would be the plan, at the moment we are still discussing with the Sports Ministry and authorities on the SOP we need to implement if ARRC were to happen," added Shafriman.
"Hopefully we will be able to use this (ARRC) as a test bed to see if these SOP can be applied to a bigger event such as MotoGP."
Meanwhile, Shafriman downplayed rumours that Formula One is set to make a return to Malaysia over the next few seasons.
""We are in talking terms with Formula One (rights holders) but we have not received any proposals from them so far," said Shafriman.
"Whether or not Formula One returns depends on what kind of proposal they give us and it will then be up to the (Malaysian) government to decide in the future.
"When we stopped hosting Formula One in 2017, we said that we wanted to take a break for at least five years.
"In terms of rights fees, Formula One is significantly more expensive than MotoGP. While this is understandable, we still need to thoroughly evaluate whether it makes sense for us (to host it again)."
Malaysia had previously hosted F1 from 1999, when Sepang Circuit was launched, until 2017.
Exorbitant organising costs, reported to be in the region of RM300 million per year, and dwindling spectator turnout in recent years led to the decision to drop the flagship race from the Sepang calendar.