Formula One Chief Says Thailand Is Lead Contender for New Tour Event

 Thailand is in the pole position. Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali told The New York Times that Bangkok is the leading contender for a Grand Prix event to be added to the F1 calendar as                   the organization seeks to expand its global footprint.

“We want to develop the relationship (with Thailand),” President Domenicali told The New York Times in an interview after meeting with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Government House to discuss              the possibility of an F1 event in the capital city, Bangkok.

“We are working for a midterm Grand Prix on a semi-permanent facility in the city. Hopefully, that could be  an option for 2028,” the F1 President said.

Thailand has been lobbying to host an F1 race for several years. Recently, Government and Racing Officials have been drafting a proposal to stage an F1 Grand Prix street race using the roads and avenues of Bangkok.

Formula One recently expanded its calendar of races to 24 in 2024. “Adding races to the schedule has led to more revenue thanks to hosting fees from circuits, as well as allowing F1 to visit more countries per season,” The Times wrote.

But some Drivers and Racing Teams have criticized the expansion as unsustainable. President Domenicali, however, said the organization is planning on sticking with 24 races, but not more. He branded 24 as the “magic number.”

The Times reported that members of Domenicali’s Team visited the Kingdom at the end of April, and they are working on plans for a semi-permanent track in the city. “The leading contender to join the F1 calendar soon is Thailand,” The Times wrote.

Photo: https://media.thaigov.go.th