The Formula 1 racing world may soon be speeding through the streets of Thailand, as the sport’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali, has recently met with Thai Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to discuss the possibility of Thailand hosting a grand prix event. The news has stirred excitement in the F1 community, not least for Williams driver, Alex Albon, who is of Thai heritage and is a strong advocate for the Southeast Asian nation joining the F1 calendar.
Born and raised in the UK, Albon races under the Thai flag, a testament to his pride in his mother’s Thai background. His affiliation with Thailand extends beyond the race track, with regular visits to the country for charity work. This has endeared him to fans not only in Thailand but across the entire Asian region.
Albon, who is currently gearing up for the Chinese Grand Prix, has lauded the prospect of a Thailand GP as ‘very exciting’. He’s eagerly following the developments and is set to meet with Domenicali to discuss the plans further.
In an interview with Total-Motorsport.com, Albon expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m trying to keep up with Stefano [Domenicali] and keep asking him about it. Thailand is an amazing country, and I’m sure people who have actually been to Thailand will vouch for that,” he said.
However, the Williams driver also acknowledged that the tropical heat of Thailand could pose a challenge for both the race organisers and the drivers. Despite this, he is fully supportive of the idea, and is committed to doing everything in his power to make the Thailand GP a reality.
Domenicali’s recent visit to Thailand is a promising sign for those advocating for a Thai Grand Prix. He took to social media to share his positive impressions of the country and its potential to host an F1 race.
“I was delighted to meet with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minster of Thailand, and her team today to discuss their impressive plans to host a race in Bangkok. I am looking forward to continuing our discussions in the weeks and months ahead,” Domenicali posted on his social media.
Thailand’s entry into the global motorsport stage isn’t entirely new. The country has been hosting a MotoGP race annually since 2018 at the Chang International Circuit. However, the addition of a Formula 1 event would undoubtedly bring a substantial economic benefit to the country.
The ties between Thailand and the F1 community extend beyond Albon. Red Bull GmbH, the company that co-owns Red Bull Racing, was co-founded by Austrian Dietrich Mateschitz and Thai businessman Chaleo Yoovidhya. This connection could potentially play a significant role in bringing a grand prix race to Thailand.
With the current F1 calendar standing at 24 races and the Concorde Agreement allowing for 25, there is a theoretical space for a Thailand race. The future of some races, such as Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, is uncertain, and the Belgian Grand Prix will only be on a rotational basis until 2031. This opens the door for new locations, and Thailand might just speed through it.
