KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Sports Minister Azalina Othman Said believes that there should be only one Formula One Grand Prix in South-east Asia.

But she denied that Malaysia, which hosted its first F1 in 1999, was jittery over neighbour Singapore's bid to host it.

'The region should have one F1 race. Singapore should not compete with Malaysia,' she said yesterday.

'I'm not worried. I have no concern with Singapore hosting the F1 race.'

Commercial negotiations are under way and the Singapore Government is prepared to support an F1 race.

A decision is expected after this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix. F1 driver Max Webber drove through the proposed street track in Singapore last weekend, fuelling speculation that a decision was imminent.

Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran, has told parliament the country was taking a 'very serious look' at hosting an F1 race.

Sports Minister Azalina said Malaysia has a far superior track and touted the country's hospitality service as a draw for race teams as well as tourists.

'I don't think Singapore can challenge the F1 race in Malaysia,' she said. 'Singapore and Malaysia should be complementary.'

Her comments contrasted with that of Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of the Sepang International Circuit.

Mokhzani said last week that Singapore's move would create more regional awareness and interest in the sport.

'With Singapore hosting the race, it will only create more interest and we will probably get more spectators at Sepang,' he said.

But he warned against holding the races back-to-back, as that would 'cannibalise spectatorship'.