Why should Malaysia involve itself so much in F1, which is just a millionaire's playground?

I was glad finally someone expressed his views on Malaysia's involvement in the F1 Proton's RM2.4billion 'joyride' is a bad idea as I feel that our country's leaders and decision makers are just using our taxes to have fun and to boost their own egos. 'Disappointed', the writer of this letter expressed it very well. " We are already paying a high price for Proton cars here, much higher than similar size cars in other countries ", he said. it's really sad and it's true.{I have read that the Suzuki Alto from Maruti India, will be imported CBT (completely built up) into Malaysia and will be retailed around RM 55,000, BUT this car RETAILS in India at only USD6000}.

However, what really amazes us, the poor citizens of the nation, is that, Malaysia, a developing country trying to achieve a high income and developed status, is doing it the wrong way. I am sure we would have noticed that NOT LESS than 3 Malaysian parties are now involved, overtly or covertly, in "sponsoring" the F1, namely, Proton with its Lotus brand, AirAsia also with its Lotus brand, and then there is Petronas pushing the Williams car...

Are all these expenditure necessary? Air Asia, maybe I can see that it is a part of its aggressive global branding strategy, but does Petronas and Proton need to spend so much of our money for the same purpose?

I think Petronas has been doing well even without such extravagance, and Proton? Maybe it should just send its executives to Perodua, to learn a thing or three from them, how to make a successful car for the rakyat. Having 'good' advisers does not mean it will make a profit.