Thailand Gears Up: Discussions Underway for Formula One Event

[snoop1130]

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

 

Thailand is on the brink of a thrilling opportunity to host a Formula One Grand Prix. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has initiated discussions with Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group, exploring the feasibility of bringing this prestigious event to the nation.

 

On March 18, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsab confirmed the talks, underscoring Thailand's aspirations to host international attractions that could bolster both the economy and tourism. The Thai government intends to collaborate closely with the Formula One Group, aligning this venture with former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's vision of positioning Thailand as a centre for world-class events.

 

 

 

Stefano Domenicali expressed enthusiasm, noting that an F1 race would not only elevate Thailand's economy but also enhance its tourism appeal by engaging the nation's significant motorsport fan base. He highlighted Thailand's motorsport heritage and the potential to leverage the popularity of the country's racers.

 

The Thai government is committed to a comprehensive study, evaluating feasible cities, investment needs, and overall viability. If successful, Thailand could soon join the elite list of countries hosting one of motorsport's crown jewels. This development holds the promise of spotlighting Thailand as a global stage for thrilling competitions and rich cultural exhibitions. As talks progress, the race for Thailand’s F1 future is speeding towards a promising track, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-19

 

 

[dinsdale]

  On 3/19/2025 at 9:23 AM, snoop1130 said:

Thailand is on the brink of a thrilling opportunity to host a Formula One Grand Prix. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has initiated discussions with Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group, exploring the feasibility of bringing this prestigious event to the nation.

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Not exactly on the brink IMHO. 

[worgeordie]

I can just see them racing around the streets of Bangkok , dodging the pick ups

pulling out of side streets , might work in Singapore ,but Bangkok ...  start off

smaller , have 20 tuk tuk's , souped up ,racing around ,would pay to see that

 

regards Worgeordie

[MikeandDow]

This is a ploy to get red bull to come back!!!

[Gottfrid]

  On 3/19/2025 at 9:23 AM, snoop1130 said:

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has initiated discussions with Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group

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No papa gave the order

[PJ71]

Never ever gonna happen here.

[newbee2022]

They can discuss it. Probably they don't know safety requirements 😂 and nobody told them the entry fee. Wasn't it about 4o bill US$? Peanuts for Thailand??😳

[henryford1958]

Let's hope it's not at Buriram with no accommodation within 50kms.

[steven100]

Not in 100 years ....      she's wasting his time.  

[Ralf001]

  On 3/19/2025 at 9:45 AM, worgeordie said:

I can just see them racing around the streets of Bangkok , dodging the pick ups

pulling out of side streets , might work in Singapore ,but Bangkok ...  start off

smaller , have 20 tuk tuk's , souped up ,racing around ,would pay to see that

 

regards Worgeordie

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Street circuits are 100% fenced off from the public during the race so not sure what you are dribbling on about.

[Ralf001]

  On 3/20/2025 at 1:09 AM, newbee2022 said:

They can discuss it. Probably they don't know safety requirements.

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Course will have to be approved by the FIA, this includes all safety requirements.

 

Or they can run it at BRIC, which is certified for F1 use.

[fondue zoo]

Distraction Spin

[riverhigh]

U-Tapao airport , Pattaya and Jomtien have been suggested as an ideal candidates to host Formula 1 racing.  Costs of constructing the racetracks should be considerably cheaper than places like South Korea. There is also chaeap accomodation for the Formula 1 enthusiasts. 

[newbee2022]

  On 3/20/2025 at 1:30 AM, Ralf001 said:

 

Course will have to be approved by the FIA, this includes all safety requirements.

 

Or they can run it at BRIC, which is certified for F1 use.

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I said this.

But run it on Bricks is very interesting 🤗

[AustinRacing]

With no road safety enforcement I can imagine guys who now pretending to be racing drivers will mimic F1 racers causing even more deaths and misery on the roads. Also wondering how PM2.5 will affect F1 cars performance. 

[Yagoda]

I have been to two Formula 1s, one Indy 500 and one Daytona 500.

 

The partying is fun, but the races are better on TV.

[rumeaug]

With their skills in terms of infrastructure and safety, good luck with that

[worgeordie]

  On 3/20/2025 at 1:27 AM, Ralf001 said:

 

Street circuits are 100% fenced off from the public during the race so not sure what you are dribbling on about.

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This is Thailand ,not Singapore , If it could happen ,it would happen here ,if they wanted

to get through they would , just look at how many get hit on rail crossings , I think I can

make it ...Crash !    

 

regards Worgeordie

[Lenthai]

I would love to have it here in Pattaya, maybe they can grade up the old Bira circuit for this.

[DualSportBiker]

The F1 crowd want glamour and the best hotel rooms. I don't see the glamourati wanting to be anywhere but Bangkok which does not have a circuit. Buriram works for MotoGP because bike fans aren't venue/hotel snobs. They can't hold it early in the season because the pollution is too bad. They can't hold it from July through October because the rain will make it impossible - Formula 1 Powerboats is its own thing. April and May are too hot leaving November, perhaps between Vegas and Qatar is the only viable timeslot that will not overheat the drivers, bring too much attention to the pollution, or turn into a fiasco and cancelled events due to rain and possible flooding.

 

Keeping international eyes off of Pattaya would seem like a smart move - no need to confirm that Thailand has not dealt with its dirty underbelly as top-shelf sponsors don't like to be associated with that...

[FritsSikkink]

  On 3/20/2025 at 1:09 AM, newbee2022 said:

nobody told them the entry fee. Wasn't it about 4o bill US$? 

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No, it isn't. Easy to google instead of spreading nonsense: https://thesportsgrail.com/explained-cost-to-host-an-f1-race-and-how-much-money-each-track-pays/

Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan 55 million US dollars. Bahrain  $45 million Abu Dhabi and Hungary with $40 million Singapore and Australia, $35 million. Canada $30 million. Netherlands: $32million Spain: $25million Austria: $25million Britain: $25million Italy (Monza): $25million Japan: $25million

Mexico: $25million Brazil: $25million France: $22million

[FritsSikkink]

  On 3/20/2025 at 2:35 AM, DualSportBiker said:

The F1 crowd want glamour and the best hotel rooms. I don't see the glamourati wanting to be anywhere but Bangkok which does not have a circuit. Buriram works for MotoGP because bike fans aren't venue/hotel snobs. They can't hold it early in the season because the pollution is too bad. They can't hold it from July through October because the rain will make it impossible - Formula 1 Powerboats is its own thing. April and May are too hot leaving November, perhaps between Vegas and Qatar is the only viable timeslot that will not overheat the drivers, bring too much attention to the pollution, or turn into a fiasco and cancelled events due to rain and possible flooding.

 

Keeping international eyes off of Pattaya would seem like a smart move - no need to confirm that Thailand has not dealt with its dirty underbelly as top-shelf sponsors don't like to be associated with that...

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How much glamour is there in Hungary, Azerbaijan?

[bristolgeoff]

Will be a street race or track,they have the moto GP so why not a f1 event. The red bull heir still has time to count before he can be found or return again.The only question is when  and how long to make the street race happen,many repairs or new roads before that is a event

[sabai-dee-man]

  On 3/20/2025 at 1:30 AM, Ralf001 said:

 

Course will have to be approved by the FIA, this includes all safety requirements.

 

Or they can run it at BRIC, which is certified for F1 use.

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Buriram is not F1 certified, and would require considerable changes to meet the FIA requirements. Newin said right from the off, he never intended it to host F1, as it was never worth the investment.

 

Thailand will never host an F1 race.

[Ralf001]

  On 3/20/2025 at 2:22 AM, worgeordie said:

This is Thailand ,not Singapore , If it could happen ,it would happen here ,if they wanted

to get through they would , just look at how many get hit on rail crossings , I think I can

make it ...Crash !    

 

regards Worgeordie

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are you really that ignorant?

[DualSportBiker]

  On 3/20/2025 at 2:53 AM, FritsSikkink said:

How much glamour is there in Hungary, Azerbaijan?

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Would not know as I've not been to either. But both have a long lists of internationally recognised hotels which are not in Buriram... Neither are labelled sin-city or known worldwide for reasons Thais would rather weren't true/known.

[MikeandDow]

Can you imagine the couruption !! the Thai construction industry is not up to building a safe racing track  look at the present roads no compaction pot holes bridges collapse Thailand cannot achive the standars required so this is a waste of money !!

[PoorSucker]

20 years or has it been longer since this request.

[DualSportBiker]

  On 3/20/2025 at 2:22 AM, worgeordie said:

This is Thailand ,not Singapore , If it could happen ,it would happen here ,if they wanted

to get through they would , just look at how many get hit on rail crossings , I think I can

make it ...Crash !    

 

regards Worgeordie

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Sorry old boy, you are way off the mark. Have you been to/heard of Bang Saen? They have serious races there; fenced-off city streets with very good controls of who can get on to the track. There would be almost overkill FIA oversight of Thailand's first GP - Thailand's reputation for planนิ่ง is pervasive...

[PJ71]

  On 3/20/2025 at 2:53 AM, FritsSikkink said:

How much glamour is there in Hungary, Azerbaijan?

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Much much more than Thailand.