(ANN/THE STAR) – At 99 years old, Malaysian Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad continues to defy age, as demonstrated during a recent outing at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), where he was seen enthusiastically driving a car.
In a video shared on his Facebook page, the nonagenarian was first spotted in the passenger seat of an Audi Q5 SUV, driven by SIC’s non-executive chairperson, Tan Sri Mohamed Azman Yahya. Later in the footage, Dr. Mahathir took the wheel himself, reaching speeds of 154 km/h.
During the drive, Azman asked Dr. Mahathir about his vision for the racing circuit and the introduction of Formula One in Malaysia, a project initiated during his first term as Prime Minister.
“We don’t have many tourist attractions, and hosting a race would stimulate interest among tourists and visitors from abroad. We also need to entertain people,” Dr. Mahathir replied, emphasising the need for real-life action rather than merely watching it on television.
He recounted discussions with former SIC chairman Tan Sri Basir Ismail, reflecting on their belief that establishing the circuit was a worthwhile investment.
Dr. Mahathir noted that the track was originally envisioned to host Formula One races and expressed pride in Malaysia’s achievement in bringing this prestigious motorsport to the nation. “We were the first developing country to host Formula One,” he stated.
The Sepang circuit, inaugurated by Dr. Mahathir in 1999, has since become a significant landmark in Malaysia’s motorsport history.
