Sepang Circuit chief Razlan Razali has suggested 2022 would be the preferred year for a Formula 1 return.

Last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad signalled his intention to bring back the race, which ended an 18-year stint on the calendar in 2017, as soon as possible.

He cited the global audience F1 brought to the event as a bigger benefit than the issue of cost, which had led to the decision to pull the plug.

But Razali says the circuit still needs a few more years away before welcoming the sport back.

“He did express his desire that one day F1 will return but we maintain that we would like to live life without Formula 1 for at least five years from our last race in 2017,” he said via Auto Week.

“What I’ve heard is the last two years the situation has changed and I’m sure in the next two or three years F1 will continue to evolve and get better in terms of racing.”

The Sepang chief does still have reservations, however, and even wondered if Liberty Media would want the circuit back based on their current trend.

“If they are pushing more for street races than circuit racing then we may want it back but they could not want us,” he explained.

“We just have to wait and see how F1 evolves and develops in the next couple of years."