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Thailand pursuing F1 race as part of tourism push

Grand Prix would generate estimated US$108m and over 1,000 jobs in country.
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Thailand is pursuing a spot on the Formula One calendar as it seeks to boost events-based tourism.

Confirmed:

  • Prime minister Srettha Thavisin has pitched a street race to Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali
  • Series executives have already been to Bangkok to survey and study potential routes

Context:

If Thailand lands the rights to host a Formula One race in 2027, it could generate about four billion baht (US$108 million) and more than 1,000 jobs, according to the country’s deputy secretary general to the premier Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham.

Thailand already hosts a MotoGP race at the Buriram International Circuit, while the country has also stated its intention to host a Formula E race as early as next season. This all forms part of a wider strategy to elevate the country as a tourism hotspot through events.

In addition, it would provide current Williams driver Alex Albon with a home race on the calendar. Formula One will be hoping for a similar swell of partisan support which saw Chinese fans sell out last weekend’s race at the Shanghai International Circuit in record time to see Zhou Guanyu become the first Chinese driver to finish a home race.

Comment:

Coming next:

Outside of the Middle East, Formula One only has three races in Asia: Japan, China and Singapore. With two of those races already completed, the series’ final visit to the region comes at the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore from 20th to 22nd September.

Go deeper:

BlackBook Motorsport Forum is back for its 10th anniversary edition. Join us in London this April to navigate the transformation of motorsport and the trends driving the industry forward into the next decade.

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