Thailand is exploring the possibility of hosting a Formula 1 race after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with F1 boss Stefano Domenicali. The meeting, held on Tuesday, focused on the potential benefits and challenges of bringing a Grand Prix to the country.
Domenicali, who recently extended his contract to lead Formula 1 until 2029, is looking to expand the sport into new markets. With F1’s growing global popularity, Thailand has shown interest in becoming a race destination. Although most of the current 24-race calendar is set for the coming years, future openings could make room for new locations.
After the discussions, Prime Minister Shinawatra announced that Thailand would conduct a feasibility study to assess the costs, benefits, and possible race locations. She emphasized that hosting F1 would not only be a prestigious achievement but also a major opportunity to improve infrastructure, attract international tourists, and boost local industries.
Thailand has experience hosting major motorsport events, with the Buriram circuit being a regular stop on the MotoGP calendar. However, the country has never hosted a Formula 1 race. In previous discussions, Thai officials suggested a street circuit in Bangkok’s historic center as a potential venue, hoping to enhance the country’s global image through sports and culture.
Thailand faces competition from several other nations eager to join the F1 schedule. France, Germany, and Turkey are all pushing for a return to the calendar. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region currently hosts four Grand Prix races in Australia, China, Japan, and Singapore.
If Thailand secures a spot on the F1 calendar, it would bring the sport even closer to local fans, including Thai driver Alex Albon, who represents Williams and recently finished fifth in the Australian Grand Prix.
