SIC Hopes Petronas Will Continue As MotoGP Malaysia Title Sponsor Until 2031

SEPANG, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Sepang International Circuit (SIC) hopes Petronas will continue its commitment as title sponsor of the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) after the current contract ends this year, ensuring the continuity of a strategic partnership that began in 2022.

SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the circuit hopes discussions between the current title sponsor and MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports will reach a positive outcome for both parties to continue staging the prestigious race together.

He said if an agreement is reached, SIC hopes the sponsorship extension aligns with Dorna's five-year contract, running until 2031.

"Petronas is a very good brand and highly synonymous with MotoGP. We hope the discussions will produce a positive decision.

"If possible, we want to match the previous contract with Dorna, which is five years," he told reporters here today.

He was commenting on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's meeting with MotoGP executive director Carmelo Ezpeleta, which, among others, expressed hope that Petronas would renew its MotoGP sponsorship commitment yesterday.

Shafriman said SIC has yet to receive any further development on Petronas' intention to continue the sponsorship, stressing that the decision rests entirely with the company.

Petronas became the Malaysian GP title sponsor in 2022. The role was held by Shell previously. 

Yesterday, Ahmad Zahid said the proposal to ensure Petronas remains the MotoGP title sponsor in the coming years would be discussed with Petronas president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz.

-- BERNAMA