Yeoh meets with MotoGP top brass to discuss contract extension

KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has met with MotoGP bosses to discuss renewing Malaysia’s contract to host the event beyond 2026.

Yeoh, in a post on social media today (Oct 29), shared pictures of her with MotoGP chief executive officer Carmelo Ezpeleta and MotoGP chief sporting officer Carlos Ezpeleta.

Malaysia’s current contract to host MotoGP will expire next year.

Dorna is the commercial rights holder for MotoGP.

“I was able to meet with Carmelo Ezpeleta and Carlos Ezpeleta to discuss extending the contract for MotoGP as well as the new season launch in Kuala Lumpur next year,” said Yeoh today.

“Dorna has a lot of new ideas planned to boost two-wheel motorsports activities, talent development in technical and vocational education and training as well as foreign investment in Sepang Circuit, as the hub for motorsports in Malaysia.

“The Youth and Sports Ministry will work closely together with Dorna and Sepang International Circuit to plan the continued organisation of MotoGP here in the future.”

Carlos had last week confirmed that discussions to renew Malaysia’s contract are already at an advanced stage.

The decision on whether the contract is renewed or not will ultimately lie with the cabinet due to the huge investment required from the Malaysian government to host the race here.

The popularity of the event, which has been hosted at Sepang Circuit since 1999, among Malaysians has never been in doubt.

The Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia again attracted records crowds for a third year in a row.

Malaysia has also been given the honour of hosting the MotoGP new season launch event in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 6-7.

MotoGP chief commercial officer Dan Rossomondo is excited for the event to be held here.

“Kuala Lumpur is a city that portrays itself very well to the rest of the world,” said Rossomondo when met at Sepang last week.

“We have a really strong audience base here and our broadcast across the region has seen more than double digit growth in terms of viewership.

“So we just know we have an audience and a city that will be able to portray MotoGP in the best light and we are excited about that.”

The new season launch will be held just after the conclusion of MotoGP winter testing, which Sepang Circuit has traditionally hosted over the years.

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© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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