Liberty Media’s CEO, Greg Maffei, has said that Formula One is receiving significant interest from many countries, especially Southeast Asia, to host future Grand Prix.
He said, ‘We have looked at the intersection of where our fans are, where they could be, who could run a great race, and who can frankly afford a race.’
There is interest from many countries and venues.
♖ Saudi Arabia (Qiddiya Speed Park, potentially replacing Jeddah)
♖ London (in addition to Silverstone), where significant financial and logistical problems exist.
♖ Balaton Park Circuit, Hungary (potentially replacing Hungaroring; their current contract expires 2032)
♖ Barranquilla, Colombia (pipped at the post by Madrid)
♖ Gujarat, India (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City)
♖ Sepang, Malaysia (Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, previously hosted)
♖ Portimao, Portugal (Algarve International Circuit)
♖ Hockenheim or Nürburgring, Germany
♖ Istanbul Park, Turkey (Istanbul Park Circuit, previously hosted)
♖ Africa
♖ Thailand (the most vocal about hosting F1)
♖ Seoul
♖ Indonesia
When countries have their own drivers, marketing and viewership figures dramatically increase; an example is Zhou Guanyu in China.
Hosting a Formula One Grand Prix can be a game-changer, catalysing economic growth, infrastructural development, global exposure, and technological advancements.
Providing both immediate and long-term benefits to the host country.
Hosting an F1 GP is like having the world’s coolest, noisiest, and most expensive circus come to town.
Interestingly, when F1 comes to town, we all become temporary experts in tyre strategies and pit stops – even though most of us still struggle with parallel parking.
