The Vietnam Grand Prix is to join the Formula 1 calendar in 2020, with a race taking place on the streets of capital city Hanoi.
The addition of a race on the streets of Vietnam’s capital was first mooted back in October 2017, and has now been officially confirmed by Liberty Media. After the setback of the Miami Grand Prix deal falling to materialise earlier this year, it’s the first new destination to be added to the calendar since Liberty Media took over the ownership of Formula 1. It’s believed that Bernie Ecclestone had previously halted plans for a Vietnam Grand Prix just before he was removed from his role as F1 boss.
Hanoi has been the capital of Vietnam since 1976, following North Vietnam’s victory in the Vietnam War. The city is typified by historic architecture and an abundance of culture, mixing both ancient and modern. Vietnam is home to 95 million people, making it the world’s fifteenth most-populous country. 7.5 million people live in Hanoi itself, making it the country’s second most populated city.
Charlie Whiting visited the location of the new track before the Japanese Grand Prix and gave the first confirmation that the site of the new event had been identified. The street track, which will use both existing and purpose-built roads, has been designed by Hermann Tilke.
The 22-turn circuit will provide fans an opportunity to see the cars racing at high speeds on Hanoi’s streets, on a circuit which takes inspiration from Suzuka, the Nurburgring and other iconic tracks. Top speeds are expected to reach 330km/h on the 1.5km straight, while drivers will lap the track at an average of just over 200km/h.
F1’s history in Asia
Formula 1’s venture into Asia first began with the addition of the Japanese Grand Prix at the Fuji Speedway in 1976. The race was run there twice before a nine year absence which was ended by the addition of Suzuka to the calendar in 1987. In 1994 and 1995 a further race in Japan was added as the Aida circuit hosted the Pacific Grand Prix. Malaysia and China were the next two Asian countries to join the calendar in 1999 and 2004 respectively, while Singapore joined in 2008. With the new multiyear deal announced for the race in Vietnam, organisers will be hoping the race is a success – unlike the now-defunct Grands Prix once held in India, South Korea and Turkey.
The Vietnam Grand Prix will be the third race in a south-east Asian nation after China and Singapore. The inaugural race will take place in April 2020 and is likely to be a back-to-back event with the Chinese Grand Prix. Organizers will have been keen to avoid a race between May and August in order to dodge the typically hot, humid and often wet conditions of the summer season.
Chase Carey will attend a special launch ceremony with the event promoter, Vingroup, at the Hanoi Citadel. Ahead of this, Carey highlighted the area’s rich culture and the circuit’s potential to deliver exciting racing:
“We are thrilled to be here in Hanoi, one of the most exciting cities in the world right now with such a rich history and an incredible future ahead of it. This is the perfect formula for Grand Prix racing and I look forward to this becoming a real highlight of the F1 calendar. Our Motorsport team, working in collaboration with the City of Hanoi and promoter Vingroup, has worked to enable a circuit that will not only test the drivers but also ensure that our fans enjoy the racing spectacle. We are really looking forward to seeing Formula 1 cars speeding around the streets of this fantastic city from 2020.”
Very interested in attending from Australia. When will dates be released ?
Hi Phil, it’s hard to say. Last year, the provisional calendar wasn’t released until the end of August – but perhaps it will be earlier this year.
Do you know the location of the circuit in Hanoi? It does not look like its in the city center.
Hi Andrew, the circuit is located in the Nam Từ Liêm district to the west of the centre.
When will there come some kind of dates??
It’s say back to back with China, will that be before or after??
Just speculating, but very likely to be back to back with China – perhaps one week later. We should get provisional dates next month, in June.
Please keep me post