Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed hope that Malaysia will continue to produce more talented motorsport stars, not only as riders or drivers, but also engineers.

“Malaysia is now going into not only motorsport racing but also into engineering. The money spent to build the (Sepang International Circuit) race track was well utilised.

“...I hope F1 will come back (to Malaysia) one day,” said Mahathir in his brief speech after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Petronas SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia Awards 2018 in Kuala Lumpur last night.

The prime minister also acknowledged that the idea of building the Sepang International Circuit had paved the way for the development of local talents and technology transfer in motorsports.

He noted that the idea of having an international race circuit came when he visited the car racing track, Autodromo Circuit in Portugal, but never thought that Malaysia would have its own racing circuit.

“I can see the response was very good, not only from those attending to watch the F1 race but also those who take up racing themselves,” he said.

Mahathir is the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

- Bernama