A long-time fan of Formula 1 and thus, happy to watch races wherever they’re staged or whatever teams happen to be competing, I’m mystified by Malaysia’s involvement in such a spectacularly expensive sport. Or, more specifically, I’m wondering who’s paying for it.

Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia and principal of Malaysia’s new F1 participant Lotus Racing, has been loud in his assurances that no public money is involved in this venture.