PRIME MINISTER Srettha Thavisin said after visiting the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, or Imola Circuit, race track at Bologna, Italy, that Thailand should have a suitable race track of its own for Formula 1 tournament and one could be built near U-Tapao Airport by 2027 or 2028 at the latest, Naewna newspaper said today (May 20).
Speaking after holding talks with the Imola Circuit management Srettha pointed out that FI races are held at over 20 cities worldwide each year but none had been staged in Thailand.
Should world-class sports competition like F1 take place in Thailand it will greatly boost tourism.
Srettha has invited Mr. Chatchai Promlert, chairman of PTT Pcl, and Mr. Kavin Kachanpas, CEO of BTS Group Holdings Pcl, with the latter being part of BBS Joint Venture together with Bangkok Airways Pcl and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Pcl that won the concession to upgrade and expand U-Tapao Airport, for talks on developing this race track.
The selection was made because there is a lot of land for this purpose in this zone and if they are chosen the race track would be built near U-Tapao Airport.
“The government assures that Thailand is ready to build a race track as soon as possible by 2027 or 2028 at the latest. The major sponsor would be PTT Pcl.
“For example when Malaysia hosts the tournament Petronas is the sponsor.
“I believe both the organisers and ourselves want to host the tournament and am sure there will be good news over the next few months,” he said.
In addition to F1 competition there will also be F2, which is a lower league but racing also takes place over three days with youth racers too joining in.
The feasibility of this project is currently being studied with VIP ticket price being at the level US$5,000-8,000 per person. There will also be additional income from other channels including sponsors and food stalls.
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Top: The Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay City Circuit in Singapore, on Oct. 2, 2022. Photo: AP/Danial Hakim and published by CNA
Front Page: Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen drives during the qualifying session ahead of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on Oct. 1, 2022. Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman and published by CNA
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