Heineken keen for Asian expansion but interested in the US too

Heineken are keen to see Formula One continue to expand in Asia, but are also keen to see the sport grow in the US according to their Senior Global Brand Director, Gianluca Di Tondo.

Speaking to F1's official website, the Italian said that Heineken's future lies in Asia, and F1's expansion there in the 2000s makes their partnership an ideal one.

"The playground for the future is Asia Pacific," he said. "Asia Pacific is a strategic area for us and having seven races around this area is fantastic - and the passion for Formula One in Asia is tangible."

Di Tondo also spoke of the recent talk surrounding an expansion into the United States. The sport was recently taken over by US-based Liberty Media, and the deal instantly sparked speculation of more races in the US.

"If there is program to double up in the US that, of course, is very interesting for us as the US is our biggest market."

"If you take it as a single market, it is still our biggest one," he continued. "In the US it is easier to activate things that become popular - and we are open for discussions to make Formula One even more popular together."

However, when asked on where he would like to see F1 go to next, it was another Asian destination that he had in mind.

"That is very simple - it is again in Asia: Vietnam," he answered. "We are very present in Vietnam through a local partner and they were our guests in Monza and they were over the moon."

"So why not have a race in Ho Chi Minh City?"

Earlier this summer we reported on plans for an F1-grade circuit to be built in Vietnam, although there have been no formal plans for a Grand Prix in the country as of yet.

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