Malaysian MotoGP organizers are set to sign a five-year extension to keep the race at the Sepang circuit at least until the 2015 season.
According to Malaysian media, the Sepang International Circuit (SIC)'s board of directors yesterday accepted a proposal from MotoGP rights holder Dorna to renew the deal. The new agreement is still subject to the ministry's approval.
The circuit's chief said the new deal only makes sense if a Malaysian rider is taking part in the championship.
"If we agree to the deal with Dorna, it comes with the understanding that we will have a Malaysian rider competing until 2015," SIC chief executive officer, Razlan Razali, told Malaysia's The Star newspaper. "Dorna will also help us to develop our home grown Super Series program. The aim is to develop young talent to participate in future world championships. After all, what is the point of having a Malaysian Motorcycle GP with no promising local talent coming up?"