All points east for F1

It’s safe to say that F1 and Liberty Media have not shied away from introducing new locations to the ever-expanding race calendar over recent years.

But it’s not gone amiss that these races have a heavy focus on the booming US market – but are things finally about to change as F1 turns its head to the East?

After F1 shut down rumours of another US race (this time in Chicago), Paddock chit-chat has begun to build around a desire for the sport to reclaim ground in Asia. This new move was further solidified by Liberty Media CEO, Greg Maffei at an Autosport Business event held ahead of the Monaco GP, where he confirmed that locations such as Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea have a strong desire to host a Grand Prix in the coming years – and indeed have the funds to do so.  

Without a doubt, Asia offers a fantastic opportunity for the sport to grow, boasting numerous commercial opportunities and some of the most passionate fans on the planet. Moreso, existing races in the region are easily some of the most popular on the roster, with Japan and Singapore having secured their future until 2029 and 2028 respectively. Whereas China’s future may still be at risk, no one can deny the passion (and buying power) showcased by the fanbase of hometown hero Guanyu Zhou at the Chinese Grand Prix. 

The prospect of moving focus to a new region will no doubt bring excitement to fans, and partners alike. But you can also be certain it will raise more questions around other regions that continue to be snubbed by the sport, with Germany, and the African continent always top of this list.

For now, nothing is set in stone, but we look forward to seeing where’s next in F1’s race across the world.