Formula One president and CEO Stefano Domenicali will head to Bangkok next week following the Australian Grand Prix to explore the potential of hosting a Grand Prix in the Thai capital. In an interview with Sky Sports, Domenicali confirmed that he would be heading to Bangkok, highlighting Formula One’s commitment to developing new markets as the sport continues to gain popularity globally.
The former Ferrari chief, who recently renewed his contract with Formula One through 2029, is eager to consider prospective race venues. While most of the 24-race schedule is set for the next few years, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is only guaranteed until 2026. The Belgian Grand Prix, however, has a special arrangement where it can stay on the schedule for four out of six years from 2026 to 2031, creating room for new circuits.
Formula One’s Interest in Expanding to Thailand
Domenicali underlined Formula One’s approach of securing long-term deals with current hosts to foster investment and enhance race facilities. But he conceded that there is intense global demand from new places wanting to get on the F1 calendar.
“The good thing that we were able to do in the last couple of years has been to focus on the places that we believe represent the future for Formula 1,” said Domenicali in Melbourne.
“In terms of promoters and tracks that we are already at, we have a long-term standing agreement with a lot of them that enables them to invest, to improve the facility, to improve the quality of the entertainment that we need to give to our fans.”
He also confirmed his visit to Bangkok in the future, stating, “We receive a lot of attention from other places in the world. After finishing the race here in Melbourne, I go to Bangkok to see (if) there is a potential interest to develop something there.”
Thailand’s Push for a Street Circuit Race
Domenicali’s visit follows previous discussions with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who hosted him in April 2023 to present Thailand’s vision for an F1 race. Officials have suggested a street circuit in Bangkok’s historic center as a potential venue.
Thailand is among several countries fighting for a place on the F1 calendar. France and Germany, traditional F1 hosts, are trying to return after being omitted from the 2025 calendar. The Turkish Grand Prix, held in 2021 as its last appearance, is another probable winner of an available position. Rwanda has also declared that it will construct a track along its capital city, Kigali, to try to secure F1 in the future.
Now the Asia-Pacific region has four races in Australia, China, Japan, and Singapore. The addition of Thailand would further solidify Formula One’s presence in the region.
