until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
Sepang International Circuit CEO Razlan Razali has announced that he will step down from his role effective immediately, to concentrate on his other key position within Malaysian motorsport as team principal of the Petronas Sepang Racing Team.
Razali has been CEO of the circuit for most of its existence, taking over in 2008 and organising some of the biggest-attended races in both the F1 and MotoGP calendars.
The circuit dropped F1 in 2016 to concentrate on two-wheeled action alongside the Sepang Racing expansion into MotoGP, the move coming as part of a plan laid out in 2014 that has seen circuit usage increase to a whopping 94% of the available time.
However, with the MotoGP squad going from strength to strength and the team gearing up for title challenges in both Moto2 and Moto3 in 2020, Razali says that now is the time to concentrate on one of his two roles.
“By taking on the role of Team Principal of the Sepang Racing Team full-time, I will be able to focus 100% on my responsibilities,” Razali said. “I look forward to strengthening activation and engagement with Partners, attracting new companies to join us, improving the team’s function as a platform for Malaysians to compete in the MotoGP, and also strengthening the team’s corporate governance.
“Being CEO of SIC was already living a dream; managing a world championship team is even more amazing. I will not waste this opportunity to make Malaysia proud, to see Malaysians do well in our team and uplift the name of Malaysia around the world, flying the Jalur Gemilang [the Malaysian flag] high as ambassadors for Malaysia in two-wheel motor racing.
“I wish SIC and the new CEO great success. The Board of Directors has chosen someone capable and passionate, and well-versed in the ins and outs of the motorsport world. Together with the team, I am confident that the new CEO will take the circuit to greater heights, building upon what we have achieved these past years.”
