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

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.

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.

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

"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.

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)

"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!?'

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