F1 In Vietnam? Southeast Asian Country Close To 2020 Race Hosting Deal

FIA race director Charlie Whiting has revealed plans to have a race in Vietnam in 2020 is on target with the organizers already having identified a venue, which is said to be just a few kilometers west of the capital city of Hanoi.

The Asian country has been on the radar of new F1 owners Liberty Media since they took over and it seems Vietnam could be the first new race venue introduced by the new owners of the sport.

The Vietnam government threw its support behind the project earlier in the year and now Autosport are reporting talks have progressed quickly behind the scenes and a deal has been reached with an announcement expected before the end of the year.

"All (government) ministries and agencies support the idea to create a new attraction for Hanoi," Mai Tien Dung, chief of the government office, said in a statement, as per Sports Pro Media. "Hanoi authorities have asked people living in the planned area for their opinions about holding the race and they have all shown their support, to attract tourists.”

Whiting is said to have visited the proposed venue for the race track ahead of last Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix and is quite impressed with the progress made. The race is expected to be partly on the already existing streets, while part of it will be purpose-built for the event.

“It is mainly on the streets, but there is a section that is not yet built," Whiting said. "That is an open site where the pit buildings are going to be built. … Part of the track will be built there, which doesn't exist at the moment. But it will become a road after that.”

The FIA race director, however, revealed no construction has yet begun with the progress said in the final stages of design at the moment. But with the location identified, he expects the organizers to meet their expected 2020 deadline.

"There is no actual progress at building the track, but the site has been identified," Whiting added.

"It is in the advanced stages of design and as far as I am aware, they are aiming for a 2020 grand prix,” he explained. “That shouldn't be a problem based on previous experience."

The FIA, meanwhile, has already announced the draft 2019 race calendar and for the third time in the sport’s history and the second consecutive year it will be a 21-race season.

There will be no additions or dropouts compared to this season after it was revealed the German Grand Prix will continue to hold its place after initial doubts. Moreover, 2019 will see the championship host its 1000th Grand Prix since its inception in 1950 and the Chinese Grand Prix on April 14 will have the honor hosting the historic event.