Bangkok F1 street race scrapped, next stop Phuket?

Phuket could be in line to host the first grand prix in Thailand after it was confirmed that Bangkok will not be able to welcome Formula One in 2015.



Bernie Ecclestone has been a big advocate for taking Formula One to Thailand, but a proposed route around the streets of Bangkok met widespread criticism due to its lack of challenging corners or characteristics. Instead, Thailand’s sports’ minister Somask Pureesrisrak has revealed to the Bangkok Post that efforts are being made to take F1 to Phuket.

Read the full article at MotorSportsTalk

No home for 2015 F1 Grand Prix in Thailand

Following demonstrations by Bangkok residents against the F1 race being held in historic Rattanakosin, the old part of the capital around the Grand Palace, Tourism Minister Somsak Phurisisak said that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had issued a law on May 16 which prohibits car racing in Rattanakosin.



Isaan and Phuket have offered to host the race but Phurisisak indicated the committee would look for a new site, focusing their search in the Chaengwattana Government Office Complex and Muang Thong Thani areas of the capital. 

Rag - surely anywhere within a reasonable commute of an airport would work fine and both Don Muang and U Tapoa airports are under utilised.

Bangkok's F1 GP Night Race Track

The course will lead drivers past many iconic landmarks in the old downtown part of Bangkok such as Wat Phra Kaew, Sanam Luang, (to a certain extent) Khao Sarn Road, Democracy Monument and most impressive of all, the Grand Palace.


View Bangkok Grand Prix: Proposed Formula 1 Track in a larger map

Vital Statistics
- Track length 6km/3.7mile
- Track width minimum 9m/29ft, maximum 21m/69ft
- Corners 12 ( 7 right, 5 left)
- Direction clockwise.

Organisers claim that only a small number of residents will be affected by the event but the reality is road improvements in the months leading up to the event and the 3 weeks that are required to set up, run and then dismantle will cause traffic chaos for many in Bangkok.

The final decision on whether or not Bangkok will host the Thailand Grand Prix will be made in October 2014, when the FIA will decide on the 2015 calendar.

Should this inner city plan be fall through, Thai officials still have a plan B for an alternative venue, which will be in the less-central, less accessible and frankly less attractive outskirts of Muang Thong Thani or Chang Wattana.

Red Bull have used local knowledge to come up with a modified car for the Bangkok F1 race.......

Approval given to Bangkok’s Formula One racing route

A group of experts selected a 5.995-kilometer route that will take racers on a tour of Bangkok’s central landmarks, including the Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn and Victory Monument.



The Royal Dock Yard will serve as the race’s beginning and endpoint.

Read the full article at Coconuts Bangkok