F1 race in Thailand moves closer with Domenicali heading for talks in Bangkok

Method 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has revealed he’ll go to Thailand after the Australian Grand Prix for talks over a possible race in Bangkok.

The present F1 calendar is probably the most packed it has ever been, with 24 grands prix slated for the 2025 season which will get below method in Melbourne this weekend.

Nonetheless, the latest curiosity increase within the collection has seen many potential new hosts search a spot in future years.

The Madring in Madrid joins the record for subsequent season, whereas the Belgian Grand Prix has turn out to be the primary to signal an settlement to host races on a rotational foundation, liberating up area for different tracks to do likewise.

It was introduced on Wednesday that Domenicali would proceed as president and CEO of Method One Administration for at least a further five years, with the ex-Ferrari boss appointed in 2021.

Over the course of his prolonged deal, taking F1 to new markets can be a key goal for Domenicali.

“I believe that the great factor that we had been capable of do within the final couple of years is to concentrate on the locations that we do imagine characterize the long run for Method 1,” he informed Sky Sports activities F1.

“We obtain lots of consideration from different locations on this planet. By the best way, I’m simply ending the race right here in Melbourne, I am going to Bangkok to see – there’s a potential curiosity from the federal government to develop one thing there.

“We have now different locations in Europe, and as you realize there are pursuits in Africa, there are pursuits in South America now.”

A road race round Bangkok has been mooted for a while however seemingly moved a step nearer final yr when Thai prime minster Srettha Thavisin attended the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and revealed afterwards he had held talks with Domenicali.

He wrote: “In step with the Thai Authorities’s intention to carry F1 racing to Thailand within the close to future, I visited the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari and had a dialogue with executives of the Method One Group.

“This resonates with our coverage to position Thailand on the worldwide radar for worldwide occasions and actions.”

Rwanda, which hosted the 2024 FIA Gala, has introduced its ambition to carry F1 again to Africa – though there have since been requires the collection to not head to the nation by representatives of the Democratic Republic of Congo amid bloody battle within the area.

In the meantime, ultimately yr’s United States Grand Prix, Domenicali hinted that Argentina might return to the F1 calendar sooner or later, having final hosted a spherical of the championship in 1998.

Forward of the 2025 season opener in Australia, McLaren CEO Zak Brown praised the concept of including rotational races however believes the calendar has topped out at 24.

Requested if F1 had reached its peak, Brown replied: “I don’t assume it has hit its peak, which is kind of thrilling.

“Clearly some issues have peaked, 24 races. We are able to’t do extra. I want to see, and it’s one thing that has been spoken about prior to now with a purpose to develop the calendar, possibly have a hard and fast 20 races and eight that rotate each different yr.

“That may be a option to get into 28 markets however preserve a 24-race calendar as a result of the calendar could be very troublesome on all people however that could be a option to proceed to develop the game.”