1
Formula 1's owners Liberty Media are interested in bringing a Grand Prix to Vietnam. According to The Sun, Liberty recently flew to Vietnam to explore the possibility of hosting a race in Ho Chi Minh City. Earlier this year, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone revealed he rejected plans to add a Vietnamese Grand Prix to the calendar.
However, Liberty Media sees a real opportunity for Vietnam and consider a race there an alternative to Malaysia, which will drop off the F1 schedule at the end of the season. Negotiations are still in the infant stages, but F1 sponsor Heineken believes that a race is Vietnam is entirely possible.
Mercedes Threatens Legal Action as Engine War Erupts Before Season Start
Report: Ferrari Finally Tailoring Development to Lewis Hamilton
"That is very simple - it is again in Asia: Vietnam," said Senior Global Brand Director, Gianluca Di Tondo said when asked where he would like to see F1 next. "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?"
Ecclestone was fully against the idea: "It hasn't got any racing history at all. So I didn't want to put another race in the same sort of area where we already have very good promoters. And I was criticised for putting the races in Baku and in Russia because they hadn't got that much racing history."
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
Replies (1)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
"And I was criticised for putting the races in Baku and in Russia because they hadn't got that much racing history." No, Eccie dear. That wasnt why. Most people had complaints on the Russia deal because of the situation with Ukraine. As for Azerbaijan, most seemed to not like the thought of yet another street circuit.
As long as there is a good track, and they have the funds to host a race, I dont see why a race in Vietnam couldnt happen.