Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali has revealed he will visit Bangkok next week for talks over adding a race in Thailand’s capital city to the sport’s calendar.
The majority of F1’s 24-race schedule is locked in for several years, but it was announced during the winter that the Dutch Grand Prix will drop off the calendar after 2026 and that the Belgian Grand Prix will appear on a rotational basis, starting with a first absence in 2028.
Although the current agreement F1 has with its teams allows for a maximum of 25 races and therefore the potential to add an event without losing one, there would likely be pushback from drivers if an already gruelling schedule grows further.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, F1 president and chief executive Domenicali appeared to suggest Thailand is a major contender, among other venues, to join the 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,” Domenicali said.
“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.
“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… there is a potential interest to develop something there.”
Former Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin, who was replaced in August 2024, attended last year’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola and explained hosting a race was in part motivated by a desire to put the country on “the global radar”.
Domenicali’s confirmation of his intention to visit Bangkok ahead of next week’s Chinese Grand Prix suggests a change in government leadership has not altered Thailand’s intention to oin the calendar.
‘Interest from Africa and South America’
Domenicali explained that there is interest from all over the globe to join the calendar, and that he sees keeping the bidding process competitive as important to maintaining “leverage” over current tracks to maintain high standards.
He added: “And we have other places in Europe, and there are interests in Africa, interests in South America now.
“But the most important thing is that we keep this kind of situation that it is a privilege (to host a race), to give us the leverage on having a great possible improvement everywhere we go.”
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Here’s your paddock pass for the Australian Grand Prix, join Karun Chandhok as he gives you a sneak peek in Melbourne!
“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,” Domenicali said.
“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.
“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… there is a potential interest to develop something there.”
Former Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin, who was replaced in August 2024, attended last year’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola and explained hosting a race was in part motivated by a desire to put the country on “the global radar”.
Domenicali’s confirmation of his intention to visit Bangkok ahead of next week’s Chinese Grand Prix suggests a change in government leadership has not altered Thailand’s intention to oin the calendar.
‘Interest from Africa and South America’
Domenicali explained that there is interest from all over the globe to join the calendar, and that he sees keeping the bidding process competitive as important to maintaining “leverage” over current tracks to maintain high standards.
He added: “And we have other places in Europe, and there are interests in Africa, interests in South America now.
“But the most important thing is that we keep this kind of situation that it is a privilege (to host a race), to give us the leverage on having a great possible improvement everywhere we go.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Here’s your paddock pass for the Australian Grand Prix, join Karun Chandhok as he gives you a sneak peek in Melbourne!
“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,” Domenicali said.
“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.
“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… there is a potential interest to develop something there.”
Former Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin, who was replaced in August 2024, attended last year’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola and explained hosting a race was in part motivated by a desire to put the country on “the global radar”.
Domenicali’s confirmation of his intention to visit Bangkok ahead of next week’s Chinese Grand Prix suggests a change in government leadership has not altered Thailand’s intention to oin the calendar.
‘Interest from Africa and South America’
Domenicali explained that there is interest from all over the globe to join the calendar, and that he sees keeping the bidding process competitive as important to maintaining “leverage” over current tracks to maintain high standards.
He added: “And we have other places in Europe, and there are interests in Africa, interests in South America now.
“But the most important thing is that we keep this kind of situation that it is a privilege (to host a race), to give us the leverage on having a great possible improvement everywhere we go.”
