Alex Albon Advocates for Thailand’s Inclusion in Formula 1 Calendar

Thai driver Alex Albon has met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to support plans for a Formula 1 race in Bangkok. Following positive discussions between Stefano Domenicali and previous Thai leadership, hopes for a grand prix are growing amidst interest from numerous global venues. Challenges remain with the existing 24-race cap, prompting ideas for a rotational race calendar.

The prospects for a Thailand Grand Prix have recently gained momentum due to a meeting between Thai driver Alex Albon and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Albon’s advocacy comes after positive discussions held last month between the Prime Minister and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali concerning the possibility of an F1 race in Bangkok.

Thailand has long sought to secure a spot on the F1 calendar. Previous Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin engaged in initial discussions with Domenicali while attending the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last year. Currently, Albon, who represents Thailand in Formula 1, has added his support, demonstrating a unified interest in hosting a grand prix.

The addition of a Thai race is viable amid competition from other countries aiming to join the busy 24-race calendar. During his discussions, Domenicali acknowledged interest from various regions, including potential returns to Argentina and prospects in Africa. He remarked that Formula 1 continues to explore venues that represent its future.

Domenicali emphasized the attention garnered by various global locations for future races, indicating ongoing developments in Thailand. He noted, “We receive a lot of attention from other places in the world,” illustrating the expanding horizons of Formula 1. Interest from more than 35 venues has been documented, although he reaffirmed that the 24-race limit will remain intact.

While McLaren CEO Zak Brown has acknowledged the current limit on race events, he suggested the possibility of a rotational calendar that could allow for more locations. Brown proposed having around 20 fixed races complemented by eight rotating venues to engage with more markets without exceeding the race cap.

The first instance of a rotational race contract has already been established with the Belgian Grand Prix, which will host races until 2031, albeit with some years skipped.

The discussions surrounding the potential for a Thailand Grand Prix represent a significant development for the country’s motorsport aspirations, supported by prominent figures such as Alex Albon and Prime Minister Shinawatra. As Formula 1 continues to explore new venues globally, the possibility of including Thailand on its calendar is becoming increasingly realistic. Nevertheless, the inherent limitations of the race calendar pose a challenge to integrating more locations.

Original Source: www.autosport.com