Thailand 'In Talks' To Host F1 Race

The possibility of Thailand hosting a F1 race in the coming years gained some traction this week with the announcement that Dietrich Mateschitz of Red Bull fame has given his backing to the race.

Thailand 'in talks' to host F1 race

Thailand could host a F1 grand prix in two to three years after reportedly receiving tentative backing from Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz.

"We are in talks," Mateschitz told the Bangkok Post. "Thailand could host a Formula One race in the next two to three years."

The co-founder of Red Bull, a Thai-Austrian joint venture, said Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone also supported the idea.

"Ecclestone agrees with the idea," Mateschitz was quoted as saying. "We may sign an agreement soon."

Mateschitz was in Bangkok last weekend to attend the funeral of Chaleo Yoovidhya, the Thai entrepreneur who launched the Red Bull energy drink in Thailand and went on to set up a joint venture with Mateschitz in 1987 to make the product in Austria for the European market.