Stefano Domenicali is holding talks over a Thailand Grand Prix (Image: Getty)
F1 CEO will head to Thailand after the season-opening to hold talks with organisers hoping to stage a race around the streets of the capital, Bangkok. With the Dutch Grand Prix dropping off the calendar after its contract expires in 2026 and events in Imola and Barcelona both in danger, much-coveted spots on the schedule may soon be available.
One of the leading contenders to stage a new event is Thailand. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 about his upcoming talks, Domenicali revealed: “I think that the good thing that we were able to do in the last couple of years is to focus on the places that we do believe represent the future for Formula One.
“We receive a lot of attention from other places in the world. By the way, I’m just finishing the race here in Melbourne, I go to Bangkok to see [if] there is a potential interest from the government to develop something there. We have other places in Europe, and as you know there are interests in Africa, there are interests in South America now.”
The potential Grand Prix in Bangkok has the support of prime minister Srettha Thavisin, who was present in Imola last year following talks with the F1 CEO. He described the project as something that “resonates with our policy to place Thailand on the global radar for international events and activities.”
A Grand Prix in Thailand would be a home race for Alex Albon (Image: Getty)
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This would be welcomed news for , who would gain his own home race. The Thai-British driver has spent most of his life in the UK but identifies more with his Thai heritage.
In the latest season of ’s Drive to Survive, the Williams driver explained that he views the Singapore Grand Prix as the closest thing to a home event, but if Domenicali’s talks are constructive, this could change in the near future.
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However, Thailand is not the only country angling for a spot on the schedule. Rwanda and South Africa are the leading contenders to bring Grand Prix racing back to Africa after a three-decade hiatus, and both governments are serious about their proposals.
Then there is the possibility of a street race in Incheon, bringing F1 back to the South Korean market after the disastrous Korea International Circuit dropped off the schedule in 2013. Argentina has also been touted as a candidate following the Franco Colapinto popularity boom.