Beijing, March 17 (NationPress) Williams driver Alex Albon has shared that the initiatives for a Formula 1 event in Thailand are progressing well, despite some uncertainty due to the recent governmental shift. Born in London but racing under the Thai flag, Albon has engaged in talks regarding a potential Thai Grand Prix, specifically around the streets of Bangkok, which included discussions with high-ranking officials and the Sports Authority of Thailand.

"I’ve participated in several meetings with the former prime minister," Albon mentioned to Xinhua during the weekend of the Chinese Grand Prix. "The Sports Authority of Thailand plays a vital role in moving this forward, and there’s a significant tourism boost attached to this endeavor as well."

Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand expressed keen interest in hosting F1 as part of a larger strategy to enhance high-value tourism and elevate global visibility. However, her removal from office in August 2025 has led to some ambiguity.

Albon conveyed that most of the preliminary work has been done, but the final go-ahead will hinge on political stability. "I’ve been deeply involved in discussions about the Thai GP," he stated. "Currently, there are many governmental transitions, and we need to allow time for things to stabilize."

"The framework is in place, and substantial groundwork has been laid. Now it’s just about hitting that final green button," he added.

Questions also linger about the funding for a Thai Grand Prix. The presence of the Sports Authority indicates some level of governmental support, but the considerable costs associated with hosting F1 events will likely necessitate a mix of public funding, private investment, and commercial collaborations.

Previous reports indicated that the Paetongtarn administration had earmarked a budget exceeding 40 billion baht (approximately 1.23 billion U.S. dollars) for this project. The strategy was for private sector investment to cover the bulk of costs, with government funds available as a safety net.

Albon highlighted the tourism potential of a race in Bangkok as a central aspect of the proposal. "I view it as an incredible opportunity," he remarked. "I would love to introduce people to Thailand, especially since the target is a different kind of tourism, beyond what you’d typically consider backpacker tourism."

"This offers a different perspective, and I believe Thailand, particularly Bangkok, with its hotels and amenities, is an ideal location for this event."

Albon is recognized as Thailand’s first F1 driver since the 1950s and noted that the nation’s interest in Formula 1 has significantly expanded beyond a niche fanbase since his debut in 2019. "The growth has been exponential each year," he pointed out. "Initially, it attracted mostly motorsport enthusiasts, which represented a small segment of the population."

"Before the Aussie Grand Prix on March 8, I spent some time in Bangkok, and it’s wonderful to witness the public’s increasing engagement and enjoyment of the sport."

However, he acknowledged that visibility remains a challenge, as F1 is not currently accessible on free-to-air channels in Thailand. Still, he noted that overall interest in motorsport is on the rise, aided by events like MotoGP.

"It’s not as readily available as it is in other regions. It operates on a pay-per-view basis, and I would love for it to be more accessible for everyone," he added. "Nonetheless, I sense a growing push in Thailand toward motorsport. With MotoGP occurring there as well, there’s a buzz. Anyone who has visited Thailand knows that the locals have a passion for their cars."

When asked about the significance of racing at a home Grand Prix, Albon placed this aspiration among his career goals. "If you disregard my other life ambitions, such as earning my first podium with Williams, winning a race, and becoming a world champion, hosting a Thai GP in F1 would rank highly on that list as well," he expressed. "It would mean a great deal to me."