The latest rumor is that Thailand is on the calendar for 2015, and it is a night race on Rajadamnoen Avenue. Bernie Ecclestone has apparently revealed that a Grand Prix in Thailand is likely to be added to the F1 calendar in 2015.
Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said in October that he was working with F1 organisers to bring a race to the country and it appears superficially that he may have been successful.
It has been reported that 60 percent of the annual fee will be covered by the Thailand government with drinks companies Red Bull and Singha contributing the remainder.
Singapore F1 at night.
I still remain skeptical, but it certainly could happen now that the AEC is looming, Singapore has a race and Malaysia has a race, and Malaysia is building a second circuit. Thailand never likes looking second best or even third best within ASEAN. We are, after all, the “hub” of everything, so that should include motor sport.
So will it really happen? Watch this space.
With New Jersey and Russia already set to be added to the schedule in 2014, and should Thailand then come on board, further pressure will be placed on current circuits to keep their places if the cap of 20 races is to be adhered to.
