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Thailand confident to host F1 race in 2014

Dunya News

The sports minister said he was confident the country would host its first Formula One race in 2014.

Its unlikely well have any problem, Chumpol Silpa-archa said, adding that negotiations with Formula Ones governing body, the FIA, were more than halfway through.But he said the country was still looking for a suitable venue as an existing track in the seaside resort of Pattaya, about an hours drive from the capital Bangkok, is not perfect.We will discuss the possibilities and will know more in the next few weeks, Chumpol said.According to the Bangkok Post English-language daily, the race is likely to be held at night as in Singapore, where Thai officials met Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone late last month.The move would mark a new milestone in F1s drive into Asia, where Singapore, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Japan and India will all host races next year according to the FIA schedule announced on Friday.Singapore last month extended its grand prix for another five years until 2017 after lengthy haggling for cheaper fees. Singapore held the sports first night race in 2008, an event that has become a highlight of the season.High costs have caused friction for several hosts of Formula One, which has expanded aggressively from its traditional European domain.Formula One driver Mark Webber was greeted by an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 people when he raced a show car through the streets of Bangkok in December 2010 as part of birthday celebrations for the Thai king.Webbers team is owned by and named after Red Bull, manufacturer of the popular energy drink that originated in Thailand. The outfit has won Formula Ones last two drivers and constructors championships, in 2010 and 2011.