MELBOURNE: Method One boss Stefano Domenicali will journey to Bangkok subsequent week following the Australian Grand Prix for talks over a possible race within the Thai capital, he informed Sky Sports activities.
The Italian ex-Ferrari boss, who has simply prolonged his contract to stay F1 president and chief government till 2029, is eager to look at new markets as the game soars in recognition.
Nearly all of F1’s 24-race schedule is locked in for a number of years, however the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is assured solely till 2026.
The Belgian Grand Prix struck a deal in January to permit it to remain on the calendar for 4 out of six years from 2026 to 2031 with the intention to accommodate new races.
Domenicali appeared to recommend Thailand was a contender, amongst different venues, to hitch the circuit.
“The nice factor that we had been in a position to do within the final couple of years has been to deal with the locations that we consider symbolize the longer term for F1,” he informed the British broadcaster in Melbourne.
“By way of promoters and tracks that we’re already at, we’ve got a long-term standing settlement with plenty of them that allows them to take a position, to enhance the power, to enhance the standard of the leisure that we have to give to our followers.
“We obtain plenty of consideration from different locations on the planet,” he added.
“After ending the race right here in Melbourne, I am going to Bangkok to see (if) there’s a potential curiosity to develop one thing there.”
Former Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin hosted Domenicali in April final 12 months to pitch the federal government’s imaginative and prescient of bringing a grand prix to the sprawling, traffic-clogged capital.
Thai officers stated on the time they envisaged the race being run on a avenue circuit, presumably across the metropolis’s historic centre.
Thailand is one among many international locations keen to hitch the F1 circuit.
Historic hosts France and Germany don’t function on the 2025 calendar and are in search of to return, whereas the Turkish Grand Prix, final held in 2021, is seen as a candidate to take one of many slots vacated by the Belgian deal.
Exterior Europe, Rwanda is planning a brand new circuit close to the capital Kigali.
The Asia-Pacific area at the moment hosts 4 races – in Australia, China, Japan and Singapore.