Domenicali's Next Move: Thailand Interested in Formula 1?
Mar.16 - Stefano Domenicali, the newly-renewed CEO of Formula 1, is hopping on a plane from Melbourne to Bangkok after Sunday's season opener.
"I'm just finishing the race here in Melbourne, then I go to Thailand to see if there is a potential interest from the government to develop something there," he told Sky Italia.
The move comes off the back of the latest news that Domenicali has successfully overseen the extension of the pivotal 'Concorde Agreement' which binds the teams and the FIA to Formula 1.
"Domenicali has transformed this sport without rushing things," Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore, who has been involved in the sport on and off since the end of the 80s, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Domenicali says the interest he receives from hopeful promoters around the world show that F1 is at a high point in popularity and health.
"We have other places in Europe, and as you know there are interests in Africa, there are interests in South America now," he said.
The Italian has also done a good job of cementing many of the new races to lucrative deals that run for the long-term.
"This allows them to invest, improve the facilities, and increase the quality of entertainment we have to offer our fans," said Domenicali.
"We're receiving a lot of attention from everywhere."
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Nothing new as Thailand has been on the table as a viable option for a little while already as has South Korea, for that matter.
Of course, South Africa & Rwanda are the African countries with interest, but only Argentina from South America, although the country's current economic situation makes GP-hosting unviable for the time being.
What other place in Europe, though? No other European city is on the table presently, with both Nice & Paris mentioned on a theoretical level at times, but that's about it.
He is the Liberty puppy nothing more, $$$ rule where the races are not Steffi
A few bridges that will need to be crossed before the Liberty puppet can see an F1 race in Thailand:
There is currently no circuit capable to hold a race in Thailand;
Timing ~ you couldn't hold it during the wet seasson due to flooding that frequently occurs;
If they think the heat and humidity in Singapore and Qatar are high, Bangkok's heat and humidity are even higher! Maybe they could hold it in the north, but the infrastructure for such a race does not currently exist.
I think a race in Thailand is only a pipe dream!
Don't get me wrong, the Thais are really wonderful people and would do a great job. However, it would take many billions of USD to make it happen, and the Thai government has many much higher priorities for their budget than paying Liberty for holding an F1 race!
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