South Korea unveils plan to bring back Formula 1
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
SEOUL: South Korea wants to host a Formula 1 race for the first time since 2013 after unveiling a new circuit design that officials say is financially viable.
The plan would see races held on a 5km street circuit in the city of Incheon, just outside the capital Seoul, although the idea is still in its infancy and faces several obstacles.
The Korean Grand Prix was part of the Formula 1 calendar at a different circuit in the south of the country from 2010, but was axed after three years because of costs and tepid interest locally.
Incheon city officials said Thursday (Apr 16) their new plan can bring in money and they hope to draw up to 400,000 visitors over the three-day race weekend.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok told reporters they are ambitiously aiming to stage the first race in 2028.
The track design was developed after looking at street circuits in Singapore and Las Vegas.
"It is possible to link the F1 Grand Prix, which has developed into a form of entertainment, with K-culture," the plan says.
"We expect to hold various cultural performances, such as inviting world-famous artists, to elevate Incheon's cultural and tourism infrastructure to a world-class standard."
Formula 1 currently holds races in 24 locations around the world, including China, Japan and Singapore.
Vietnam was set to stage a race in 2020, but the event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and has not appeared on the calendar since.
Thailand last year approved a bid to host a race.
F1 declined to comment on the South Korean plan.
Any plan to host the sport again would need to pass numerous hurdles, including approval from the central government, finding a promoter and securing a spot in the densely packed calendar.
Newsletter
Recommended Read
Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read
A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.
Newsletter
Week in Review
Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in Review
Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app