After the situation in the Middle East, tensions are also high between Thailand and Cambodia: does Formula 1 really want to race in countries at war?
Formula 1 intends to welcome Thailand into the calendar, but with the current conflict, is it really possible to organise a Grand Prix there?
This is the same question that has been asked for several years, ever since the championship started racing in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is among the most exposed countries and, in recent months, it has tried to act as a mediator alongside Qatar to broker a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. It is hard to forget the 2022 incident, when a missile attack by the Houthis occurred just 20 km from the Jeddah circuit, while the drivers were on track for free practice.
The same issue may arise again ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as previously discussed in another article, since it is among the first at risk. However, Formula 1 has interests that go beyond the geopolitical landscape. For several months, the top category has been in talks with Thailand to host a Grand Prix in the capital, Bangkok. The proposal is on the table, and the aim is to include it in the calendar from 2028. That date is still far off, so anything could happen in the meantime.
Nevertheless, it remains impossible to know what could happen in the near future. The war in Ukraine was expected to be resolved quickly, yet it has now been going on for over three years. The same applies to the Middle East. Following the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 came the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, a conflict still ongoing today. The winds of war between Thailand and Cambodia have been blowing since Thursday, stemming from a territorial dispute that began more than seventy years ago. There are, however, signs of possible peace, as Malaysia has offered to mediate in the matter.
Pros and cons of a Grand Prix in Bangkok
In a Formula 1 that is constantly expanding, the choice to bring Thailand into the calendar is a truly risky one. On the one hand, there is the intention to promote the country’s tourism; on the other, there is the reality of the situation. Bangkok is a wealthy and opulent city, yet a large portion of its population lives in poverty. Social inequality has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic. In the event of a conflict, the first reaction would be to close the airspace, making travel for teams difficult, if not impossible. At present, the Italian Foreign Ministry has already advised against travelling to the country.
If the conflict were to escalate, Formula 1 could – and should – make the right decision, prioritising above all the safety of the people involved.
Leave a Reply