Thailand Unveils Proposed $1.3 Billion Bangkok Street Circuit as F1 Bid Advances
New 5.7-kilometre design brings Thailand closer to hosting its first Formula One Grand Prix in 2028
Thailand has moved a significant step closer to hosting its first Formula One Grand Prix after officials revealed a proposed layout for a new street circuit in Bangkok, part of a government-backed $1.3 billion project aimed at securing a place on the world championship calendar.
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) released the 5.7-kilometre design that would weave through the city’s Chatuchak district, featuring 18 corners intended to challenge drivers and showcase key urban landmarks.
The ambitious plan is the latest phase in Bangkok’s bid to bring Formula One to Thailand, with discussions ongoing between Thai authorities and the Formula One Group.
The investment, which received cabinet approval last year, targets a race debut as early as 2028 under a five-year hosting agreement.
The proposed circuit would be one of the longest on the current calendar and is expected to pass sites such as Chatuchak Park, Queen Sirikit Park and the Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal, integrating the city’s vibrant urban landscape into the racing spectacle.
Thai-British driver Alex Albon, currently racing in Formula One under the Thai flag, has played a vocal role in supporting the initiative, engaging with government leaders to align local motorsport development with international racing standards.
Bangkok’s bid now seeks formal approval from the sport’s governing bodies, with construction expected to take one to two years if the project proceeds on schedule.
Transforming existing roadways into an FIA-certified racing surface will require extensive infrastructure upgrades, encompassing high-grip asphalt, safety barriers, spectator facilities and a permanent pit and paddock complex.
Organisers are aiming for the event to be slotted into the Formula One calendar at a time that complements existing Asia-Pacific races, which include events in Australia, China, Japan and Singapore.
For Thailand, hosting a Grand Prix represents not only a milestone in its sporting history but also an opportunity to boost international tourism and economic activity, drawing global attention to Bangkok’s dynamic culture and urban development.
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) released the 5.7-kilometre design that would weave through the city’s Chatuchak district, featuring 18 corners intended to challenge drivers and showcase key urban landmarks.
The ambitious plan is the latest phase in Bangkok’s bid to bring Formula One to Thailand, with discussions ongoing between Thai authorities and the Formula One Group.
The investment, which received cabinet approval last year, targets a race debut as early as 2028 under a five-year hosting agreement.
The proposed circuit would be one of the longest on the current calendar and is expected to pass sites such as Chatuchak Park, Queen Sirikit Park and the Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal, integrating the city’s vibrant urban landscape into the racing spectacle.
Thai-British driver Alex Albon, currently racing in Formula One under the Thai flag, has played a vocal role in supporting the initiative, engaging with government leaders to align local motorsport development with international racing standards.
Bangkok’s bid now seeks formal approval from the sport’s governing bodies, with construction expected to take one to two years if the project proceeds on schedule.
Transforming existing roadways into an FIA-certified racing surface will require extensive infrastructure upgrades, encompassing high-grip asphalt, safety barriers, spectator facilities and a permanent pit and paddock complex.
Organisers are aiming for the event to be slotted into the Formula One calendar at a time that complements existing Asia-Pacific races, which include events in Australia, China, Japan and Singapore.
For Thailand, hosting a Grand Prix represents not only a milestone in its sporting history but also an opportunity to boost international tourism and economic activity, drawing global attention to Bangkok’s dynamic culture and urban development.
