Williams driver Alex Albon indicates Thailand`s strong commitment to hosting a Formula 1 race in the future. This follows a meeting between Albon and the country`s Prime Minister, after F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also met with the PM.
Albon, representing Thailand in F1, engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prior to the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
Earlier in March, Domenicali described Thailand`s plans for a race in Bangkok as `impressive` after his conversation with Shinawatra, suggesting ongoing talks in the coming months.
Formula 1`s agreement with teams allows for up to 25 races per season, presenting an opportunity for new events. However, adding more races to the already demanding schedule could face resistance from drivers.
`Significant Opportunity to Boost Motorsport`
Albon commented on his meeting with the Thai Prime Minister, stating it was a continuation of Domenicali`s discussions and explored how he could contribute. He emphasized the `huge opportunity` for Thailand to promote motorsport.
He acknowledged that while Formula 1 isn`t the most popular sport in Thailand, like football, it presents a chance to inspire individuals to pursue careers not only as drivers but also as engineers, mechanics, and marketing professionals within the motorsport industry.
Albon highlighted the large young population in Thailand and his surprise at the significant turnout during a related meeting.
He believes Formula 1 is experiencing growth in Thailand, and the focus is on further increasing excitement and interest, particularly leading up to a potential race.
Speaking to F1, Albon confirmed his continued involvement in the Bangkok track layout discussions, noting the seriousness of the project based on what he has seen.
Growing F1 Interest in Thailand
Thailand has successfully hosted a MotoGP Grand Prix since 2018, with interruptions in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. Albon believes Formula 1 is gaining traction in the country.
Albon observed a dramatic increase in Formula 1`s popularity in Thailand since 2019, estimating it to be three to four times larger. He stressed the importance of building further hype and fascination for the sport.
He noted Formula 1`s success in attracting a younger and more diverse audience, although it`s still in the early stages of growth in Thailand.
Currently, Formula 1`s 24-race schedule is mostly fixed for the coming years. However, the Dutch Grand Prix is set to be removed from the calendar after 2026.
Additionally, the Belgian Grand Prix will be on a rotational schedule, potentially missing 2028, which could improve Thailand`s chances of hosting a Formula 1 race in the future.
Marcus Prine