2024-04-23 07:20:32
Bangkok (AFP)
Thailand has expressed its desire to host a round of the Formula One World Championship for the first time in its history, Prime Minister Srita Thavisin said following a meeting with the Italian premier class executive director, Stefano Domenicali.
“Thailand has the capacity to host (Formula 1) in Bangkok,” Thavisin wrote on the site “X” (formerly Twitter), following his interview in Bangkok with the promoter of the World Championship.
He stressed: “If this happens, I am sure our country will leave incredible memories, because we have good potential and capabilities, and thanks to the hospitality of the Thai people.”
A government spokesperson said, according to local media reports, that the race would take place on the old streets of the capital, Bangkok, which suffer from traffic congestion and infrastructure problems, but without specifying schedule.
This initiative is part of the “soft power” policy led by Thavisin, to increase the visibility of Thailand and attract more tourists, in an economic context that is still fragile since the recovery from the repercussions of the Corona virus.
Thailand is represented in the premier category by driver Alexander Albon, who defends the colors of the Williams team, and is only the second in history to hail from the Kingdom since Perabongs Panoday, nicknamed “Prince Pera”, who participated in 19 races between 1950. and 1954.
On the other hand, the American company Liberty Media, which holds the commercial rights for the first category, continues to develop the world championship with the holding of 24 races this year, which constitutes a record number, which opens the door to organization of new races. Sleeves.
Thailand has never hosted a round of the Formula One World Championship, but it traditionally hosts one of the MotoGP World Championship events each year in Buriram, in a poor rural area more than five hours’ drive from the capital .
Vietnam, close to Thailand, was due to host the first grand prix in its history in 2020 in Hanoi, but the Corona virus pandemic led to the cancellation of the event, before the idea of building the circuit was abandoned. .
1713860123
#Formula #streets #Bangkok #AlIttihad #News
