Fast-tracked Thailand bid BAD omen for historic F1 return to SA

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In seasons immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, a historic F1 return to SA seemed almost a forgone conclusion. The FIA was scouring the planet for suitable venues to host pandemic-effected races, and an F1 return to SA was even widely reported in mainstream media. Unfortunately, everyone jumped the gun. And a host of sociopolitical happenings in the intervening years have only pushed an F1 return to SA into further obscurity.

Late last year there was news of a highly favoured F1 GP bid from Rwanda. Only for rebel fighting in East-Central Africa to dampen organisers’ spirits of a safe return to the continent. Now, Thailand is on the fast track to be next on Formula 1’s race calendar. Immediately after the 2025 season opener in Australia, the sport’s CEO Stefano Domenicali jumped straight on a plane to Bangkok to meet with Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

WINDOW FOR F1 RETURN TO SA CLOSING FAST

Red 5 came alive … Nigel Mansell won in South Africa in ’92, and a year later Alain Prost did the same for Williams. These were the last two F1 races on the African continent. Image: Tony Alves

Domenicali hailed Thailand’s ‘impressive plans’ for a first grand prix in the Thai capital’s Chatuchak area. “I am looking forward to continuing our discussions in the weeks and months ahead,” admitted Domenicali. Indeed, news is that Domenicali and Shinawatra have now signed a memorandum of understanding. The reports were confirmed by Dr. Gongsak Yodmani, head of Thailand’s sports authority this week.

“The important thing is that we have to understand the community and the people in the area who will be affected by the race,” reported Bangkok Post. “We all agree that hosting an F1 event should benefit all concerned parties, especially those people living in the area. We need to let them know that we’re committed to minimising the impact on environmental and noise issues and ensuring the locals are informed and compensated,” confirmed Yodmani.

HOME RACE FOR ALBON

F1’s British-born Thai driver Alex Albon also admits he’s excited at the prospect of racing at ‘home’. “I think we’re going to reach out later to Domenicali to offer our support,” said Albon. “It’s very exciting and will interesting with the heat, that’s one area where it might become a Singapore version 2.0. On my side, I’m doing everything I can to make it happen,” Albon concluded. – with GMM