The search for a place on the Formula 1 calendar in Thailand is gaining momentum following a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in Imola. Thavisin attended the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as part of an official visit to Italy, as the Thai government seeks to host an F1 race on the streets of Bangkok. Thavisin aims to secure Red Bull’s support for the project, with a possible start date in 2027 or ’28. Red Bull is an ideal partner due to the Thai nationality of majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya.
Thavisin stated on social media: “In line with the Thai government’s goal of bringing F1 races to Thailand in the near future, I visited the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit and had discussions with Formula One Group executives. This is aligned with our strategy to position Thailand as a global destination for international events and activities.”
Having successfully expanded to the United States and the Middle East, the next growth target for F1 is Asia, making a Thai Grand Prix a fitting addition to the calendar. The Thai proposal has been discussed between Domenicali and Thavisin since the F1 CEO visited Thailand in April, and their recent meeting confirms the solid foundation of Thailand’s plan.
Thailand is not the only Asian country interested in hosting an F1 race, as the South Korean city of Incheon recently expressed its intention to hold a Grand Prix on its streets. With the current F1 calendar currently at a record 24 races, one below the maximum limit of 25 according to the current Concorde Agreement, the inclusion of a Thai Grand Prix would likely require the removal of an existing race. Several European venues, such as Imola (contract until 2025) and Barcelona (contract expiring in 2026), have short or expiring contracts. Additionally, a new Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid is set to be introduced in 2026. Domenicali suggested that European races could be rotated to allow for further expansion into new markets.
2026 is expected to be a year with numerous Grand Prix events, mainly in Europe, providing several options for the future growth of F1. Domenicali emphasized the importance of maintaining a global calendar, stating: “Our calendar has evolved from being focused on Europe to truly worldwide development, and this trend must continue.”
