Alex Albon Advocates for Thailand Grand Prix After Meeting with PM

Thai driver Alex Albon supports plans for a Formula 1 race in Thailand after a meeting with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Following positive dialogue with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, hopes for a Bangkok Grand Prix grow amidst interest from multiple global venues, even as F1 maintains a 24-race calendar cap.

Alex Albon, the Thai-British Formula 1 driver representing Thailand, recently met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, advocating for the inclusion of a Thailand Grand Prix in the F1 calendar. This initiative coincides with a growing interest from the Thai government in hosting a grand prix, particularly after fruitful discussions between the Prime Minister and Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula One, in the past.

The dream of hosting a grand prix in Bangkok has long been on the table, gaining momentum as more dialogue occurs at various levels of government. With Albon’s recent engagement, anticipation for a Formula 1 race in Thailand has notably increased, further supported by previous talks involving former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who had attended the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix for preliminary discussions with Domenicali.

Amidst plans for a 24-race calendar, Thailand is one of several nations vying for inclusion. Albon’s meeting with the Prime Minister signals a commitment to showcasing Thailand on the global motorsport stage. Formula One’s CEO has indicated that while interest from numerous venues persists, they remain firm on maintaining the 24-race cap for the foreseeable future.

Stefano Domenicali, speaking during the Australian Grand Prix, expressed optimism about emerging markets for the sport, including Thailand. He noted that “more than 35” potential venues have sought to host F1 events, which speaks to the intrinsic global appeal of the series and the various nations looking to tap into its economic and entertainment value.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has commented on the evolving calendar landscape, suggesting a rotational race model to accommodate more locations without exceeding the current race limit. He stated, “I would like to see… maybe have a fixed 20 races and eight that rotate every other year.” This would allow more markets to engage with the sport while keeping the calendar manageable for teams and participants.

The discussions surrounding a potential Thailand Grand Prix highlight the increasing interest from both the Thai government and Formula One leaders. Albon’s advocacy reflects a positive trajectory for the nation to possibly secure a spot in the competitive F1 calendar. As strategies evolve, it remains to be seen how Formula One will incorporate new venues while respecting its existing race commitments.

Original Source: www.autosport.com