Srettha Thavisin has held a discussion with Formula One executives

Srettha Thavisin has held a discussion with Formula One executives

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has held a discussion with Formula One executives in hopes of bringing a Grand Prix motor race to Thailand, aiming to boost tourism.

Srettha says he believes that Thailand is ready to build a racetrack for the event by 2027 or at the latest, 2028, with PPT Public Company Limited being the leading sponsor for the event.

Because of the available land in the area, U-Tapao Airport is a prime contender for hosting the Grand Prix.

According to Christian Horner, team principal for the Red Bull F1 team since 2005, "Formula One has never been in a stronger position.... We are seeing new markets, new growth, new fans, a new demographic of fans."

China, one of the 24 Grands Prix scheduled worldwide this season, sold out all tickets before the race was held on April 21.

"Everyone told me there were no tickets available, so it's definitely more popular than in the years prior to the pandemic," said F1 fan Li Qixiang.

Bernadette Collins, a strategy analyst for Sky Sports and F1TV, says F1's rising popularity has to do with the sport breaking down and reshaping masculine stereotypes, as a result drawing in more attention from women.

"It's not necessarily present at the track, but definitely at the factory there are more and more women in design roles, aerodynamic roles, software roles," she said.