• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
F1 hold talks over holding new Grand Prix in iconic city as official statement released

Home> F1

Updated 16:45 18 Mar 2025 GMTPublished 13:00 18 Mar 2025 GMT

F1 hold talks over holding new Grand Prix in iconic city as official statement released

A new race could be added to the calendar in the coming years.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Formula 1 chiefs have held talks over a new Grand Prix in Asia - in a country that has never before hosted an F1 race.

The current F1 calendar consists of 24 races, with owners Liberty Group having recently focused on growing the sport in the United States.

The Middle East has also seen an influx of Grand Prix awards in recent years, with Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain all part of the calendar.

Advert

But F1 has had some mixed success in other parts of Asia.

Japan's involvement in F1 dates back to the 1970s and 1980s at the iconic Fuji and Suzuka circuits, while China's Shanghai track has been another popular venue since it first hosted a race in 2004. Singapore is the third Asian country that currently organises a Grand Prix.

But attempts to establish long-term arrangements in South Korea and India both failed, while an attempt to host a Grand Prix in Hanoi, Vietnam was foiled - first by the COVID-19 pandemic, then the city's mayor being arrested on corruption charges.

Now, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has held talks with the prime minister of Thailand over hosting a race in its capital Bangkok.

Advert

Thailand have never before hosted a Grand Prix, but Williams driver Alex Albon represents the nation in Formula 1.

Domenicali has praised the nation's 'impressive' plans to host a race, and has confirmed that further talks will follow over adding another Grand Prix to the calendar.

The former Ferrari team principal said in a statement: "I was delighted to meet with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of Thailand, and her team today to discuss their impressive plans to host a race in Bangkok.

Image: Twitter/FIA
Image: Twitter/FIA

Advert

"I am looking forward to continuing our discussions in the weeks and months ahead."

Have Thailand previously been involved in F1?

As mentioned, Thailand has never hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix - but has had involvement in the sport before.

Aside from Albon, their only other F1 driver was Prince Bira, who made 19 starts between 1950 and 1954 - when the calendar was far smaller than it is now.

Advert

For 47 years, he was the only Southeast Asian driver to have competed in F1, but was credited with significantly growing the sport in his home country.

Bira's best finishing position was fourth, on two occasions, though he did win two non-championship races.

Albon, meanwhile, was born and raised in the south of England but his mother is Thai, and he spoke about representing the country in 2020.

Williams driver Alex Albon pictured (Image: Getty)
Williams driver Alex Albon pictured (Image: Getty)

Advert

"Motorsport in Thailand isn't actually that big," he told BBC.

"It's improving, and last year made a big step forward. Hopefully we can have a race there. That would be my dream.

"[When I last visited Thailand] There were billboards and trains stickered up with my face on. I'm quite shy, so to see all that was a bit of a shock.

"It's weird. I'm sure the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen get used to it, but when you first see, it feels like, 'Oh God, why am I on there!?'

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Formula 1, FIA

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Mercedes fans spot what Kimi Antonelli did immediately after his first ever F1 podium and it speaks volumes

    Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden Formula 1 podium at the Canadian Grand Prix.

    F1
  • 2 hours ago

    What Charles Leclerc did on team radio after Canadian GP speaks volumes as fans slam Ferrari

    Charles Leclerc came home in P5 at the Canadian Grand Prix.

    F1
  • 2 hours ago

    George Russell emerges as 'top target' for rival F1 team after winning Canadian GP and it would stun the entire sport

    Russell is out of contract at Mercedes at the end of the 2025 season.

    F1
  • 3 hours ago

    Red Bull fans claim to have 'proof' that George Russell should have lost Canadian GP win despite FIA verdict

    The FIA did not punish Russell after Red Bull launched two post-race protests against the Canadian GP race winner.

    F1
  • Major F1 Grand Prix dropped from 2026 race calendar as full season released
  • F1 star withdraws from Spanish Grand Prix as official statement released
  • F1 have held 'serious' talks over staging controversial Grand Prix in country that nobody expected
  • FIA release statement as major F1 rule change confirmed for Chinese Grand Prix