Bernie Ecclestone aims for night race in Bangkok by 2015 – Formula 1 news
Formula 1 chief executive officer, Bernie Ecclestone has said that he is aiming to have a night race on the streets of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok by 2015.
Thailand’s Sports Authority made an announcement earlier this year that they are looking forward to host a race in their country by 2014.
However, Ecclestone believes that it is quite impossible to organise a race event in Bangkok by 2014 and expressed that it is more likely to occur in 2015.
“They say 2014 and I say 2015,” he told Wall Street Journal. “It is serious and it is good.”
In addition, the report stated that the government will contribute around 60% of total cost of hosting the grand prix while the remaining funds will be paid by Red Bull Racing, in which 51% ownership belongs to Thai businessman, Chalerm Yoovidhya.
Furthermore, the location of the race has been finalised and the organisers are eagerly waiting to host it in the near future.
Bangkok is the largest city of Thailand and holds the status of country’s cultural and industrial hub. Moreover, it has also hosted the Race of Champions this year at Rajamangala National Stadium.
Besides, it will be important to mention that Red Bull came to Bangkok back in 2010 to celebrate the 84th Birthday of the King in the crowd of 150,000 people.
The races in Russia and New Jersey are expected to be held in 2014. So, if the race in Thailand moves a year ahead, it will be the 3rd new addition to the F1 calendar.
It is to be noted that although Ecclestone is very keen to take F1 to new places in the world and has said that he has a lot of plans to implement in the future. However, he has faced immense criticism from the president of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo,
who asserted that the 82-year-old has become too old to handle the sport and should take retirement now.
On the other hand, Ecclestone expressed that he has no plans to take retirement. He also said that he has still got many ideas to look forward to and is aiming to take F1 to new heights in the future.
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