Sepang recorded its highest ever race day attendance at Sunday’s Malaysian grand prix.
The turnout of 115,000, confirmed by F1’s governing body, compares to the 107,000 who turned out to watch Michael Schumacher’s last race in the country in early 2006.
The news has given momentum to Sepang’s bid for a three or five-year extension beyond the end of its current contract, after Malaysian Prime Minister attended the circuit on Sunday and met with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
35,000 spectators turned up for qualifying on Saturday, but the measly 4,000 on Friday made the grandstands appear bare.
Sepang boss Datuk Mokhzani Tun Mahathir, however, confirmed that the PM and Ecclestone met this weekend, revealing: “We will discuss further with Ecclestone to extend the duration of the contract to host the F1 races here.”
