PM upbeat about Thailand’s chances of hosting an F1 race

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is upbeat about Thailand being given the right to host a Formula One (F1) race, probably in 2027 or 2028, following his meeting with top executives of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari F1 (Imola) circuit in Bologna, Italy.

During his current visit to Italy, as part of his European tour, the prime minister said he told the Italian executives of Thailand’s wish to host a F1 race and the country’s readiness to host such an event.

He disclosed that the potential site of the race course will be in the U-Tapao area, Chon Buri, where the BTS Group Holding Company has been awarded with the concession to utilise a large tract of Royal Thai Navy land.

He said that Malaysia has hosted F-1 once, with the Malaysian oil giant Petronas being the major sponsor, adding that, in the case of Thailand, PTT Company and BTS Group Holding would be co-sponsors.

The prime minister claimed that his delegation was warmly welcomed on their visit to the Imola circuit by the race course’s executives, as well as the Red Bull team, a member of which is a Thai national.

The prime minister also said that Thailand also wants to host F2 racing, adding that he has not yet assessed the revenue expected by the host country for a F1 race.

From a tourism promotion perspective, he said that F1 has further potential to generate revenue, from tourist arrivals, hotel accommodation, travel and food expenses, as well as commercials, which would be a boon to the economy.

The prime minister said he expects to hear good news in the next few months about Thailand’s wish to host F1.