The government of Thailand approved an offer of $ 1.2 billion (R $ 6.6 billion) to host a Formula 1 street race in its capital Bangkok in 2028, Asian officials said on Tuesday (17).
If successful, the Thai capital would win a contract to host a race by 2028 to 2032, the Jirayu Hangsub government spokesman said in an interview with journalists.
“Over the next two to three years, Thailand will have a worldwide competition, which we never thought would really happen in Thailand,” said Jirayu.
Tourism Minister Sorawong Thichong told reporters that the offer is about 40 billion bahts ($ 1.23 billion).
In March, the Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 head Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would order a feasibility study to host a large prize at a Bangkok Street Circuit from 2028.
Hosting the race will help promote tourism, one of the major engines of the Thai economy, the government said.
Formula 1 already has a crowded 24 racing schedule worldwide, with four in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Singapore Grand Prix in Southeast Asia.
Thailand has a FIA accredited track in Buriraram, in the northeast of the country, which currently hosts a stage of the Motogp World Motorcycle Championship, but the proposal is for a street race in the capital capital.
