Retail News CRM

Tag: F1

  • Formula 1’s Malaysian Comeback: An Economic Boost through Tourism and Global Exposure

    Formula 1’s Malaysian Comeback: An Economic Boost through Tourism and Global Exposure

    Malaysia is poised to host the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in October, an event that is projected to give a significant boost to the country’s economy through tourism and related sectors. Analysts believe that the race will have long-term economic benefits for the country, contributing to an increase in tourism, attracting more international investment, and promoting the organization of other world-class events.

    Race Details and Economic Impacts

    Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the economic impacts of hosting such a prestigious event extend beyond simply increasing tourist numbers. The global media coverage and viewership that the race attracts will also greatly contribute to promoting Malaysia on an international scale. Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) recently announced that Malaysia has been selected to host the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from October 2-4, 2026. This is contingent upon final agreements and official approval, including endorsement from the World Motor Sport Council.

    The upcoming race, set to take place between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, is a one-off replacement for the Bahrain GP, which has been postponed due to regional conflicts. Malaysia has been chosen as the host country due to the SIC having been the venue for F1 on numerous occasions between 1999 and 2017.

    Positive Reactions and Expectations

    The decision has been well-received in Malaysia, with former Sepang International Circuit CEO, Datuk Razlan Razali, stating that the choice of Malaysia as host makes strategic sense. Razali also believes that hosting the Bahrain GP will not pose any major operational challenges and that the SIC will not require any significant modifications for Formula 1.

    While the idea of Formula 1’s permanent return to Malaysia remains unlikely due to the high costs associated with hosting the championship, Razali is confident that the upcoming race will benefit domestic tourism and create opportunities for local suppliers and food and beverage businesses.

    Motorsports Association of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir also welcomed the return of Formula 1 to Sepang, stating that it would be particularly meaningful for younger motorsport fans who missed the championship after it left Malaysia in 2017. Mahathir is optimistic that the hospitality, tourism, airline, and F&B sectors will all see benefits from the event.

    Questions & Answers

    What are the expected benefits of Malaysia hosting the Formula 1 Bahrain GP?
    Hosting the race is expected to boost Malaysia’s economy through increased tourism and related industries. In the long run, it could potentially attract more international investment and encourage organization of other world-class events.

    Why was Malaysia chosen to host the Bahrain GP?
    Malaysia was selected due to its successful track record of hosting F1 at the Sepang International Circuit, having done so 19 times between 1999 and 2017.

    Is there a possibility of Formula 1 permanently returning to Malaysia?
    The likelihood of a permanent return is currently considered remote due to the high costs associated with hosting the championship. However, this upcoming race could potentially pave the way for further discussions.

  • Singapore F1 Mogul Ong Beng Seng Fined $23,400, Walks Away Without Jail Time

    Singapore F1 Mogul Ong Beng Seng Fined $23,400, Walks Away Without Jail Time

    Malaysian entrepreneur Ong Beng Seng has been fined S$30,000 (approximately US$23,400) for his role in obstructing justice, offering a hefty reminder of the thin line between the glamorous world of Formula One and serious legal scrutiny.

    Ong Beng Seng’s Legal Woes

    The 79-year-old tycoon, who played a pivotal role in bringing Formula One racing to Singapore, pleaded guilty to the charges out of court almost two weeks prior. His fine comes in the wake of a scandal involving former Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran, who is currently serving time for accepting bribes and obstructing justice.

    A Race Against Time

    Ong, who is battling incurable cancer, was implicated in a case stemming from accusations that he helped Iswaran conceal evidence during an investigation by Singapore’s anti-corruption bureau. While the court spared him a prison sentence, Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng emphasized the need for compassion given Ong’s health challenges. “A sentence of imprisonment would carry a high and increased risk of endangering his life,” she remarked, supporting the decision to exercise judicial mercy.

    A Legacy on the Fast Track

    Ong is known as the driving force behind Singapore’s vibrant Grand Prix, having secured the rights to the Formula One race that has thrilled fans since its debut on the streets in 2008. As the owner of Hotel Properties Limited, he has blended the realms of luxury and motorsport seamlessly — though it now seems even VIPs can find themselves in legal hot water. Iswaran’s case was the first political graft trial in Singapore in nearly fifty years, indicating that integrity is being rigorously enforced in the city-state.

    The Aftermath

    Ong’s associate, Iswaran, was sentenced last year after admitting to accepting gifts exceeding S$400,000 (about US$310,000). He completed his term on June 6, leaving the former high-flying politician grappling with the consequences of his actions.

    Questions & Answers

    What was Ong Beng Seng fined for?
    Ong Beng Seng was fined S$30,000 for his role in obstructing justice related to a corruption investigation involving former transport minister S. Iswaran.

    Why was Ong spared a jail sentence?
    Judge Lee Lit Cheng considered Ong’s terminal health condition, stating that imprisonment could significantly endanger his life, which warranted a merciful approach in passing the sentence.

    What is Ong’s connection to Formula One?
    Ong is credited with bringing Formula One racing to Singapore, owning the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and playing a critical role in establishing the iconic street circuit that has been a fixture since 2008.

  • Developing Original Based On F1 Featuring Robert De Niro & John Boyega

    Developing Original Based On F1 Featuring Robert De Niro & John Boyega

    Netflix has gone all-in on F1. Apart from it being the progeny behind the “drive to survive” F1 documentary series that has been airing for the last two years, it has also promised a biopic series on the legendary Ayrton Senna. More recently, it even had a documentary on the life of 5-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio. Now, it has roped in legendary actor Robert De Niro and John Boyega of Star Wars fame to develop a fictional thriller based on F1 called the Formula.

    The story of the Formula revolves around an American F1 driver who gets involved with the mafia and is forced to serve as a getaway driver to save his family. Interestingly, the original will be written, directed, and produced by Gerard McMurray who has also worked on Burning Sands which won the grand jury prize at the 2018 Sundance Festival.

    Netflix has roped in the legendary Robert De Niro for one of the lead roles

    McMurray recently also formed Buppie productions with the intent of “developing and producing stories featuring black characters for a mainstream film and television audience.”

    “Our company is constantly reinventing itself while charting a path to influence popular culture. We are the heroes and the villains, the good guys, bad guys, femme Fatales and girls next door,” he said.

    “Feels amazing to see this idea in my head finally come to life that I’m writing, directing, and producing,” he wrote. “My new production company Buppie Productions is teaming up with Tribeca Films and Netflix to bring to you a dope original film coming soon called THE FORMULA starring two of my favorite actors, John Boyega and Robert De Niro,” added McMurray.

    “It’s the story of a young man from Detroit who becomes an international racing star in the world of Formula 1 under the tutelage of his mentor with old mob ties,” he revealed.

    Netflix is home to the new Juan Manuel Fangio documentary apart from it developing a biopic on Senna.

    Of course, the CV of Robert De Niro is unprecedented who is best known for his work in the Godfather trilogy and also movies like Taxi Driver, Casino, Heat, and more recently the Netflix original the Irishman.

    John Boyega rose to fame only five years ago thanks to his central role in the Star Wars sequel trilogy with Disney.

    In the last decade with the advent of the Senna documentary, movies about motorsports have become popular with Rush based on the Nikki Lauda and James Hunt rivalry gaining popularity in the last decade alongside Ford vs Ferrari more recently from 2019.

  • Xiaomi Pocophone F1 Lite could launch soon

    Xiaomi Pocophone F1 Lite could launch soon

    The Pocophone F1 is one of the most competitively-priced smartphones out there. It offers Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845, 6GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage for just €329/$389. But not everyone can afford to spend that on a smartphone, and it now seems as though a solution might be on the way. From the look of two Geekbench listings, Xiaomi sub-brand Pocophone is developing a slightly less powerful device that will be offered to consumers at a much lower price. Rather than including the high-end Snapdragon 845, the device looks set to adopt Qualcomm’s mid-range Snapdragon 660.

    This chip has already been succeeded by the newer Snapdragon 670 and 675 but should still provide decent levels of performance. In fact, Xiaomi recently used it inside the Redmi Note 7 and the Android One-powered Xiaomi Mi A2.

    The smartphone, which is codenamed ‘Uranus,’ also includes a respectable 4GB of RAM and Android 9 Pie straight out of the box. As for external features, the notched display and 3.5mm headphone jack will probably both be retained. Xiaomi may also keep the second rear camera, although a downgrade to the sensor is likely.

    At the moment, it’s unclear when this smartphone will hit shelves across the globe. But pricing wise, Xiaomi could easily price this device below $200. After all, the Redmi Note 7 mentioned above costs just €179 ($202) in Asia.

  • Oppo F1s launched in India with increased memory and storage

    Oppo F1s launched in India with increased memory and storage

    Oppo has relaunched its self-proclaimed “selfie expert” – the F1s – with increased memory and storage in India. The phone will now be available with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. It will also be available in a new grey color.

    Oppo launched the F1s earlier in India with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, along with a 5.5-inch 1080p display, MediaTek MT6750 processor, 13 megapixel rear camera, 16 megapixel front camera, ColorOS 3.0, and 3075mAh battery. Other than the memory and storage, everything remains the same on the upgraded model.

    The new F1s is priced at INR 18,990 ($275) and the first 50,000 buyers will get a limited edition Doctor Strange cover for their phone.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Oppo Joins Hands with Tokopedia

    Oppo Joins Hands with Tokopedia

    OPPO has officially established a partnership with e-commerce company Tokopedia to market its best products, such as its best-selling product OPPO F1s.

    “Our cooperation with Tokopedia is an added value to our customers throughout Indonesia,” OPPO Indonesia CEO Ivan Lau.

    Ivan said that OPPO’s customers who cannot be reached by OPPO’s physical stores will be able to get OPPO products through Tokopedia. In addition, he said, OPPO’s excellent sales volume in Tokopedia had also been factored in. “It was one of the reasons behind the strategic cooperation with Tokopedia.”

    Tokopedia CEO William Tanuwijaya said that Tokopedia users, known as Toppers, will be able to enjoy the ease of payment for OPPO products, ranging from cash payments via convenience stores and post offices to interest-free credit card installments.

    Tokopedia boasts two million pageviews per month, making it as one of the best distribution channels for many brands, including OPPO.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Tata Comms launches VR/AR prize for F1 racing

    Tata Comms launches VR/AR prize for F1 racing

    Tata Communications has launched a new competition focused on how VR and AR technologies can make Formula 1 racing more immersive for fans.

    The 2016 F1 Connectivity Innovation Prize is also designed to help the teams work more effectively together in the run-up to and during each Grand Prix.

    The aim of the $50,000 prize is to inspire fans worldwide to harness their technical know-how and passion for F1 racing to drive innovation in the sport through two technology challenges.

    Tata Communications is the official connectivity provider of Formula 1, enabling the sport to seamlessly reach its tens of millions of fans across the globe.

    The first challenge, set by Formula One Management, calls on technology enthusiasts to develop a solution that uses VR and AR to enable fans at home to experience a Grand Prix virtually.

    The solution should allow fans who are not at the live event to immerse themselves into the world of F1 racing, from the pit lane and the Formula One Paddock Club, to the drivers’ parade and the starting grid formation.

    “We want to give as many fans as possible the opportunity to experience first-hand the thrill of a Grand Prix – and VR or AR could enable us to do just that,” said John Morrison, CTO of Formula One Management and one of the judges.

    “These technologies represent the next big innovation opportunity for the sport. In the not-too-distant future, they could enable fans to get virtually transported to a Grand Prix, complementing and enriching the race experience,” said Morrison.

    Julie Woods-Moss, Tata Communications’ CMO and CEO of its NextGen Business, said that in the last two years, the F1 Connectivity Innovation Prize has grown into a major platform for showcasing the huge potential of data and superfast connectivity in boosting F1 teams’ competitiveness, and in bringing fans closer to the sport.

    “We now invite fans from all over the world to share their ideas for how VR and AR could take fan engagement to the next level,” she said.

    Lees ook:

  • Indonesia’s first F1 driver is a good-looker who lives in Singapore

    Indonesia’s first F1 driver is a good-looker who lives in Singapore

    When Indonesia’s first Formula One driver Rio Haryanto makes his debut with the Manor Racing team at the new season on March 20, he is likely to set the hearts of female fans a flutter.

    The only Asian to be on the starting grid boasts not only a chiselled jaw and dashing good looks, but also a hot bod to match.

    Rio, 23, will be the third Southeast Asian driver, after a long absence, to compete in Formula One since the championship started in 1950, reported The Jakarta Post. The other two were Malaysian Alex Yoong (2001 and 2002) and Thailand’s Prince Birabongse Bhanudej in the 1950s.

    So all eyes will be on Rio, who reportedly lives in Singapore, when he competes against the likes of champion drivers Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in the 21-race series, starting in Melbourne in two weeks’ time.

    Born in Solo, Indonesia, he is a business management graduate, having studied here at private school FTMSGlobal Academy.

    Sponsored by Indonesia’s state energy company Pertamina, the rookie driver has managed to capture a huge following in Indonesia, all eager to see their new sports icon flying their national flag high.

    “I hope by working hard, I will not only represent Indonesia in F1 but achieve [something],” he said in a press conference in February.

    When he is not competing, Rio spends four hours a day to build up his stamina by swimming, jogging, or working out in gym, according to his website.

    He likes high-protein food, and even cooks his favourite fish – salmon – often.

    Apart from his love of racing, Rio hopes to be involved in his family business – his father runs a company that produces Kiky brand writing books.

    He also likes to do his bit for the community. Whenever he returns to his hometown, he would visit an orphanage and share his adventures with the kids, like a big brother hoping to inspire and motivate his younger siblings, according to his website.

    Career jump

    Rio clinched a place in the Manor team after its owner Stephen Fitzpatrick was impressed by his performance.

    He had said in a press statement: “He is tenacious on and off the track and made a big impression on last year’s GP2 battle.”

    On Rio’s big fan base in Indonesia, Fitzpatrick said they would be a booster for his team and for F1.

    “They are keen to see [Rio] on the grid and we’re confident that we’ll see him enjoying some exciting battles in the year ahead.”

    Rio’s racing experience began when he was only six, taking part in the national and international Gokart arena. He joined Formula Asia 2.0 racing competition at 15 and emerged the winner among Asian drivers.

    In the following year he came in first again at Formula BMW Pacific 2009 racing competition.

    At 17, he was qualified to get Formula 1 super licence from Virgin F1 race in a test in Abu Dhabi in 2010. Since then, he had been racing in the GP2 Series with EQ8 Caterham Racing Team.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: