Despite the competition from (yet to be officially confirmed) Singapore, and claims that his country's eight year old race track is "shabby", with "rubbish all over the place - Has Bernie walked down the road into Knightsbridge recently? - Malaysia Prime Minister. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, wants to keep Sepang on the F1 calendar.

The Prime Minister attended yesterday's Grand Prix, presenting the winner's trophy to Fernando Alonso.

Speaking to the New Straits Times following the event, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Chairman, Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir said that the Prime Minister is keen to see Malaysia remain on the GP schedule beyond the end of its current contract, which ends in 2010.

"So far, discussions on this contract have been positive," said Mokhzani. "We will have to study the draft of the agreement first and look for return investment."

It is understood SIC is hoping to extend the current contract by between three to five years.

Following, the race, which saw McLaren finish first and second, the British team's first win since Japan 2005, Mokhzani admitted that attendance figures were beyond his wildest dreams.

"This is the first time the grand stand is full to the brim," said. "Looks like this is the best turnout so far."