Malaysia is the first country in the South East Asia to have a Formula 1 track, second in Asia, with Japan being the first. Formula 1 is currently the third most watched live sporting event, second only to the Olympics and the World Cup. It is the most watched racing event in the world. In fact, Formula 1 brings in much needed revenues to the countries. Even America, is vying for the Formula 1 races, who recently just renovated the Bridgestone tracks to comply with the strict Formula 1 standards. Most important of all, the circuit brings in racing fans from all around the world. The sport will be a part of the tourist attraction in the country. Tourism has always contributed a large amount of Malaysia's revenue and has brought much of the foreign exchange. The Formula 1 Circuit has brought the country some relief from it recent economic crisis in the Mid 1997. However, things does not happen magically, rather it went through a lot of environmental changes to the area of Sepang, which was where the Formula 1 Circuit is located. With the increased influx of foreigners coming for the event, the Malaysian culture will be going through some changes, not only in terms of the auto racing but also influenced by foreign cultures.

Sepang International F1 Circuit is part of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) project, which was proposed in 1994. One might be surprise on how the SIC is part of the KLIA project. The KLIA project does not only own the Kuala Lumpur International Airport but also the Formula 1 racing circuit. The whole KLIA project is management by the Malaysia Airline Berhad. The KLIA project covers an area of 10,000 hectare, and is the first in the world to use the airport in the forest concept. It is located in a new township called Sepang, in the state of Selangor. Sepang was an agricultural land and it is 10 per cent of Selangor agricultural land. However things have changed, Sepang is now set to become Selangor’s No.1 economic growth center before the turn of the century. The once poorest district revolved around plantations and farming, would now see changes. Agricultural activities would make way for the massive economic developments planned and the sector would embark on a concentrated approach. According to Selangor’s former Mentri Besar, Tan Sri Muhammad Haji Muhammad Taib, the earnings of the farmers will be enhanced via modern equipment and methods. He also added that until end of 1992, plantation took up 43 per cent of the total land area while another 24 per cent were used for small holders and government reserve land. The Sepang district was also the Selangor state’s 10 per cent of the state’s total agricultural land. Some 2,000 hectares of land are being developed by private companies, federal and state government agencies for housing, tourism and hotels, small and medium scale industries, and commercial use. There are promotions of special airfare packages to promote the use of the new KLIA. This whole event will bring mutual benefits to both KLIA and SIC.

SIC is not just any ordinary racetrack. Instead, it will be a racing track with a veritable forest resort, complete with a peat swamp wetland botanical garden, a lake for water sports as well as orchards. The circuit is about 260ha, which started out in September 1997 and it was completed in 15 months. This circuit cost RM286 million and certainly has some quality as German outfit Tilke Engineering, who did the A1-ring circuit in Austria, built it.