'Thailand agrees F1 deal'

[Scott Webber]

Thailand's government sports authority says it has struck an in-principle deal to host a Formula One race in Bangkok in 2014, with negotiations ongoing about the hosting fee, according to a report in The Nation newspaper.

Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, was quoted as saying "Formula One has decided to include Thailand in its 2014 season calendar" with a race slated for November.
He said the government will fund 60 percent of the cost, with the rest coming from sponsors including Red Bull - half Thai-owned - and the Singha brewing group. The SAT governor said talks were proceeding between F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and representatives of Red Bull chief Chalerm Yoovidhya.

"Once the negotiations are complete, we will bring this before the cabinet for discussion and approval," Kanokphand was quoted as saying. "We will sign a deal only after we get the nod from the government."
He said the hosting fee would not be more than that paid by Singapore in its just-completed contract, which he said was 1.2 billion baht ($39.2 million) per year.

Areas reportedly under consideration for a circuit include the historic Rajdamnoen government district in central Bangkok, the city's Klong Toei port area or the northern suburb of Muang Thong Thani. Kanokphand said there had been feasibility talks with F1 officials about the prospective areas.

source

 

[Kartik Sri Harsha]

Do any one how the Circuit was??
Any pictures of it??

 

[My993C2]

I wonder who will be losing their race? Spa?

 

[Tom]

I wonder who will be losing their race? Spa?

I'd rather guess India, Korea or some other recently added race.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Next we'll race in Chad or Togo

 

[Jari Vinnari]

My F1 Christmas wish would be that next F1 tracks are not designed by Herman Tilke.

 

[Ho3n3r]

My F1 Christmas wish would be that next F1 tracks are not designed by Herman Tilke.

Do you know of someone that can do any better than him at the moment, keeping in mind the current safety and/or restrictions that he needs to work around? I really do not know any other famous circuit designers. so I'm asking.

 

[Jari Vinnari]

Wilson Motorsport ,Apex Circuit Design or some other designers which have previous experience creating FIA sanctioned race tracks should have enough experience to design a track for F1.

 

[Tom]

My F1 Christmas wish would be that next F1 tracks are not designed by Herman Tilke.

Yas Marina is pretty ok. Korea is, although sometimes boring because one team is too quick, not to shabby either.

 

[Hampus Andersson]

Wilson Motorsport ,Apex Circuit Design or some other designers which have previous experience creating FIA sanctioned race tracks should have enough experience to design a track for F1.

You can´t just design whatever you want................

 

[Diego Lopez]

wahh wahh wahh wahh no reace is Europe its an European sport wahhh wahh ....

since when?

its an International sport, quit whining, lets have a race in Antartica for all I care, <removed>

 

[Bradley Vanian]

I don't mind new tracks being made and used, however you should make the sport as good as possible and great European tracks can't be forgotten about. I don't think people would mind if new circuits were better than the ones being replaced.

It's a shame they can't just move some circuits into other countries Move Istanbul Park into South Africa and given Africa a deserved GP

 

[James Hemp]

You can´t just design whatever you want................

But having more than one designer would be much more interesting as anything else which involves competitivity. Maybe this is why Tilke screws up sometimes.

 

[Ketnix]

I'd rather guess India, Korea or some other recently added race.

Bernie said this weekend in India that its likely we'll see less European races to fit in the newer more exotic locations. Although I'd be fine with getting rid of India or Korea, pretty meh races. I just see F1 getting rid of Euro races is all.

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

Getting absurd with all those wannabee countries that have no money to fight poverty but can invest gazillions into Formula One.

When will Bernie finally take some social responsibility and say no to countries that aren't even listed in a known welfare index.

No GP in France, Belgium, The Netherlands or any of Scandinavian countries but lets investigate if we can host an event in for example Mali, Sudan, Afghanistan, Thailand, Bahrain or North Korea.

 

[Scott Webber]

the day that euro races is limited to 2 is the day i will stop watching F1, i was gobsmacked when india was announced, that country has over a million kids working, anyway we're save that for another day.

 

[Tom]

North Korean GP sounds awesome. No electricity but lots of hard-working "volunteers".

 

[Ketnix]

I don't see a problem with GPs outside of Europe, F1 is a international sport. But what I do have a problem with is venues being constructed or used when there is no clear long livery for that venue to stay operational. If you can't pay for it, then we should not race there.

 

[Aidan Keranen]

Just on whether this replaces a race or not, what about Bahrain, the situation isn't all that good there, but I'm not sure on how long their contract is.
God forbid they hold off for a year or so and Australia gets chucked off...
You just cannot beat the old school style tracks in Europe

 

[Markus Neumann]

Europe has 10% of the world's population, but 40% of Formula 1 races. F1 has the pretension of being a global sport. Is it really that surprising that Bernie wants to diversify a little?

Also, comparing Thailand to Sudan, Afghanistan and North Korea...