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F1 Revival in South East Asia: Racing Returns?

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1 year ago

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F1 Revival in South East Asia: Racing Returns?

South East Asia: A Promising region for Formula 1 South East Asia has long been a hub for Formula 1, with notable events like the Indian Grand Prix (2011-2013) and the Malaysian Grand Prix, which has been a staple since 1999 up until 2017, drawing significant attention from motorsport enthusiasts. The Indian Grand Prix held at the Buddh International Circuit, showcased the region’s potential by attracting large crowds and significant international interest during its short tenure. Similarly, the Malaysian Grand Prix, held between 1999 and 2017 at the Sepang International Circuit, provided fans with some of the most memorable races in F1 history due to its challenging track layout and unpredictable weather conditions. The Sepang track still holds MotoGP races where legendary rider Valentino Rossi has taken victory seven times. The Sepang track is also the host of many endurance races, like the Asian Le Mans Series, The Sepang 1000 km, and the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Despite this interest, various challenges, such as logistical issues, financial constraints, and political factors, have prevented the region from becoming a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar. This has been a source of disappointment for local fans who crave the high-octane thrill of F1 cars racing through their cities and the economic boost such events typically bring. However, recent developments from Liberty Media, the owner of the Formula One Group, offer a glimmer of hope for fans in this region. Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media, has hinted that a race in South East Asia is increasingly likely. This is particularly exciting news for F1 enthusiasts in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, all of which have shown a keen interest in hosting such an event. Maffei’s statements have reignited discussions among local motorsport authorities and business stakeholders about the feasibility and benefits of hosting F1 races.

F1 Revival in South East Asia: Racing Returns?
The race start of the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

Potential Venues for Races

Malaysia: Should Formula 1 make a return to Malaysia, the Sepang International Circuit is the favored venue. Known for its two long straights connected by a tight hairpin, Sepang has been the site of some of the most thrilling races in F1 history. The circuit, also known as the Petronas Sepang International Circuit, would be a perfect fit given that Petronas is a major sponsor of the Mercedes F1 team.

F1 Revival in South East Asia: Racing Returns?

Sepang’s infrastructure is well-equipped to handle the logistics of an F1 race, with its modern facilities and history of hosting major international events. The track’s combination of high-speed sections and technical corners presents a significant challenge for drivers, adding to the excitement for spectators. Moreover, Malaysia’s strategic location in Southeast Asia makes it an accessible destination for international fans. This is the venue for the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia (2024), the Asian Le Mans Series, The Sepang 1000 kms, and the Intercontinental GT Challenge.

Sepang International Circuit - Wikipedia
Track Layout of the Petronas Sepang International Circuit

Indonesia: For an Indonesian Grand Prix, the Sentul International Circuit is the top candidate. This 3.9 km track features a sharp right-hand first turn and a total of 11 turns. Though it has never hosted a Formula 1 race, it has a history with GP2 events, with Bruno Senna holding the race lap record. Sentul shows great promise as a new F1 venue, with potential upgrades to meet F1 standards. Its location near Jakarta, a major urban center, could attract a large local and international audience. The Indonesian government’s support for motorsports and ongoing infrastructure development in the region further enhance Sentul’s viability as a host for an F1 race. The circuit’s unique layout, which blends fast straights with tight corners, promises to deliver an exciting spectacle for racing fans.

Sentul International Circuit - Wikipedia
Track Layout of the Sentul International Circuit

Indonesia has another option to hold a Formula 1 race, at the Mandalika Circuit, the host of the Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix. Descriptions of Indonesia’s Mandalika MotoGP and World Superbike-hosting track as a ‘street circuit’ are somewhat misleading; rather, this is a purpose-built race track that incorporates some existing public roads and is then handed over for normal traffic usage when not used for racing. This 16-turn, 4.3 km long track gives some very interesting bike races and may even make for a good Formula 1 race track.

Mandalika International Street Circuit - Wikipedia
Track Layout of the Mandalika Circuit

Thailand: The Chang International Circuit, also known as the Buriram International Circuit, is the obvious choice for a Thai Grand Prix. This 4.5 km track, with its 12 turns and wide straights, has hosted several MotoGP races, including the event where Marc Marquez secured his eighth world title. A Formula 1 race here would certainly be a spectacle, offering fans a mix of speed and technical challenges. The track’s long pit lane with a tricky entrance adds another layer of complexity, making it a suitable venue for F1. Additionally, Buriram’s robust tourism infrastructure and Thailand’s popularity as a tourist destination could boost attendance and international interest in the event. The circuit’s design, which emphasizes overtaking opportunities and high-speed action, is well-suited for the demands of F1 racing. It has recently hosted a race in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia.

Buriram International Circuit - Wikipedia
Track Layout of the Buriram (Chang) International Circuit

India: While discussing Formula 1 in SE Asia, we cannot forget India. India is a country of 1.4 billion people, filled with adrenaline junkies and octane thrill-seeking fans. Just this weekend, Mumbai hosted a drag racing series at the Juhu Airport runway! This drag race was previously held since the 1970s, stopped for some reasons, and has now been finally renewed. The Hyderabad E-Prix, a wonderfully organized street race through Lumbini Park on the banks of Sagar Hussain Lake, not only fulfilled the dreams of Indians to see a street race in India but also boosted the local economy by a whopping $84 million. Another instance in which motorsport in India would be discussed is the age-old Madras Motor Racetrack. Work began in the 1980s and was finally inaugurated in 1990. This track served as the backbone of Indian motorsport. This FIA-certified Grade 2 track still holds regional races like the MRF championship. Unfortunately, this track cannot hold Formula 1 races as it is a Grade 2 track and only Grade 1 tracks are eligible to hold Formula 1 races. However, there is another track in India which can and has in the past held Formula 1 races. The Buddh International Circuit, located in Noida, hosted races between 2011 and 2013, all of them won by Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, who celebrated winning his fourth title at this very track.

F1 Revival in South East Asia: Racing Returns?

Due to political interference and bureaucracy, the races stopped. But, during the launch of Formula 1 and Fancode’s streaming partnership, Formula 1 released data showing there are 100 million fans in India of the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1. In the last four years, the sport has grown from 60 million to 100 million fans. Seeing this outburst of fans in India, the Formula One Group may even think about returning to the subcontinent. Currently, there are two under-construction race tracks being built: CoASTT High Performance in Coimbatore and Bren Raceway in Bengaluru. These are not Grade 1 circuits but are circuits of lower grade, helping to create a junior series of motorsport infrastructure in the country.

Buddh International Circuit | Formula 1 Wiki | Fandom
Track Layout of the Buddh International Circuit

Vietnam: Vietnam has recently become a top choice for a tourist destination due to its cheap flight tickets, lower food and stay costs, making it a beautiful foreign destination for family trips with delicious food. Adding our favorite organic compound—octane—Vietnam was all set to host the Vietnam Grand Prix in 2020, sponsored by Vinfast at the Hanoi circuit, but 2020 was the year of the coronavirus, and the race was canceled. After that, it was indefinitely postponed. This 5.6 km track with 22 turns was all set to provide a banger weekend, but it wasn’t possible. This track contains one very long back straight, complemented by two medium-long straights. It is filled with high-speed bends and a very long hairpin. All these factors make this track a personal favorite among all these tracks. Until its formation, it hasn’t seen much track action, except a few regional bike and car championships. Weather Considerations The weather in Southeast Asia is notoriously unpredictable, which could add an extra layer of excitement to the races. The region’s climate can swiftly change from scorching sunshine to heavy rains, potentially affecting race strategies and outcomes. Teams would need to prepare for a wide range of conditions, making these races uniquely challenging and thrilling for both drivers and spectators. Rain, in particular, has historically added drama and unpredictability to F1 races, as seen in past events at Sepang, where sudden downpours have led to unexpected results and dramatic moments on track. The ability to adapt to rapidly changing weather conditions will be crucial for teams, adding an element of strategy and unpredictability that enhances the overall spectacle.

F1 Revival in South East Asia: Racing Returns?
Hanoi circuit map revealed for 2020 Vietnam GP

When can these races take place?

While the prospect of new F1 races in Southeast Asia is thrilling, these events are unlikely to materialize before 2026-27, as the 2025 calendar is already set. Organizers will face stiff competition from the expanding number of American GPs, which are increasingly popular. If these Southeast Asian races do come to fruition, they could be scheduled at the start of the season, following the East Asian rounds in China and Japan, to optimize logistics and fuel efficiency. This scheduling would make the races more affordable and accessible for fans, including those from neighboring countries like India, potentially drawing a larger crowd and increasing the region’s appeal to global motorsport audiences. Additionally, aligning the Southeast Asian races with the East Asian rounds could reduce transportation costs and logistical complexities for the teams, making it a more sustainable option for the sport. Stay tuned to Desiracingcompany for updates on whether these exciting developments will come to pass, bringing F1 action back to Southeast Asian tracks and fulfilling the dreams of many local F1 fans. The potential return of F1 to this vibrant and diverse region promises not only to reignite local interest in motorsports but also to showcase South East Asia’s capacity to host world-class events, further integrating it into the global F1 calendar.

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Formula 1

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview

After a short break Formula 1 is back in action, this time heading to the famed Red Bull Ring for the Austrian GP.

Published

1 day ago

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June 27, 2025

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F1 during their visit to Red bull Ring in Austria in 2024
Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

As Formula 1 roars into the Styrian hills, the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix promises another action-packed weekend at the Red Bull Ring. Known for its short, high-speed layout and dramatic elevation changes, this classic Spielberg circuit has delivered thrilling battles in recent years, and with championship stakes tightening, this year’s edition is set to be no different. From intense midfield rivalries to the fight at the front, all eyes are on how teams will tackle the high altitude challenge and whether any surprise contenders can shake up the grid ahead of Sunday’s race.

About The Track

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview

(Credit – f1.com)

The Red Bull Ring is a high-altitude, low-downforce circuit that places a premium on power unit output, braking performance, and traction. With only 10 corners and three long straights, it’s one of the most throttle-sensitive tracks on the calendar. Key overtaking zones come at Turns 1, 3, and 4, each preceded by a DRS zone and requiring strong stability under heavy braking. Elevation changes, particularly into Turns 1 and 3 (uphill) and Turn 4 (downhill), challenge both brake balance and weight transfer. The flowy middle sector tests aerodynamic efficiency, while the high-speed Turns 9 and 10 demand precise turn-in and rear-end grip. ERS deployment, tire temperatures, and traffic management are crucial on this short, intense lap.

Pirelli’s Specifications


Pirelli has selected the C3, C4 and C5 compounds for this race, opposed to the C4, C5, and C6 used at Canada.

Stories This Weekend

F1 Movie Release

The long-awaited F1 Movie starring Brad Pitt was produced by Lewis Hamilton. The movie was finally released on the 27th of June, with mostly positive reviews about the movie, it looks to be worth a watch.



McLaren Look To Find Ground

After both the McLaren’s collided last round in Montreal, Lando Norris enters Austria with a disadvantage, 20 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri. Lando will look to hit the ground running here, as his teammate will want to cement his WDC lead.



Max Verstappen Runs With Simon Rennie

This weekend, Max Verstappen’s adaptability will be put to the test. His race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will be absent for this race due to personal circumstances. Simon Rennie is given the position for this weekend, an opportunity to race engineer the 4- time World Champion.

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Antonelli Passes His Exams

Rookie Kimi Antonelli cleared his exams in the 2 weeks off. This means the rookie can finally shift his full focus to the gruelling F1 season.



F1 Driver Dinner

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali took the F1 Grid out for dinner ahead of the Austrian GP.



Weekend Schedule



Weather Forecast

Friday: 26°C, Wind 9 km/h, 55% chance of rain
Saturday: 29°C, Wind 9 km/h, 5% chance of rain
Sunday: 31°C, Wind 7 km/h, 1% chance of rain.

Temperatures are notably higher than usual for this weekend.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal

Published

7 days ago

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June 22, 2025

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George Russell celebrates after winning the Canadian Grand Prix
Credits: Lat Images

George Russell had a perfect weekend in Canada, scoring the pole position on Saturday and converting it into a win on Sunday. The joy was doubled for Mercedes as Kimi Antonelli scored his first podium, coming home in P3 and helping Mercedes get a double podium in Canada. The same can not be said for championship leaders McLaren, as the day everyone in the team feared arrived, Lando Norris made contact with Oscar Piastri, resulting in a DNF for Norris.

Read The Race Preview Here: Formula 1 Heads To Canada: What To Expect

Mercedes Score Big

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have had a dream race day in Canada, after Antonelli’s rut over the triple header where he did not score a single point, the 18-year-old rookie qualified P4 and overtook WDC Leader Oscar Piastri to take his first ever F1 Podium.

His teammate also kept his cool, after taking pole on Saturday and starting alongside Max Verstappen, George Russell had a challenge set up for him on Sunday. Early pressure from the Dutchman was applied, but Russell kept his marbles together. There was another late effort by Max, but ultimately, the Brit managed to take his first win in his 2025 campaign. Mercedes scored a very respectable double podium.

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli celebrate a double podium for Mercedes after the Canadian Grand Prix. Credit: Sonntag, Jiri Krenek

Title Rivals Collide

It was a sub-par qualifying for both the McLarens, with Oscar Piastri lining up P3, and Lando Norris lining up a disappointing P7. A new challenge awaited the pair on Sunday, with both Mercedes and Max being competitive enough, moving forward would not be as easy as it seemed.

Oscar was overtaken by Antonelli, dropping him to P4, and a recovering Lando Norris lined up P5, putting pressure on his teammate in the final 10 laps, on Lap 67, Lando got close to the rear wheel of his teammate and went for a gap on the inside wall of the Start-Finish straight, this move resulted in a DNF for Lando, losing him some very valuable points, and thankfully no harm was caused to his teammate, who was able to bring the car home in P4.

Verstappen Keeps His Nose Clean

Max Verstappen is just 1 penalty point away from a race ban, and in this race he almost got the final point when he was controversially brake-checked by George Russell under a late race Safety Car, a move that was protested after the race by Red Bull. But thankfully for Max, the FIA were understanding of the situation and decided not to take any action.

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 15: Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing on the podium with his trophy during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Leclerc Debates Ferrari

Charles Leclerc had an underwhelming Qualifying, facing a challenge on Sunday. He, along with Lando, started on the hard compound tires. Notably, mid-race, when Leclerc was asked if he wanted to extend for a One-Stopper or come in for a Two-Stopper, Leclerc opted for the 1-Stop Strategy. A call that was later disregarded by his team, who brought him into the pits anyway for a tire change. It was a puzzling call from Ferrari, trying to secure an already guaranteed P6 position.

Lewis Hamilton, on the other side of the garage, ran a disadvantageous race. After running over a hedgehog early on in the race, damage was done to the floor, which lost him 30 points of downforce, reportedly worth 0.5s a lap; he did the best he could to score decent points.

Other Notable Performances

Fernando Alonso scored points for the second time this season, showing that the upgrades on his Aston Martin are effective. This is his second race in a row where he has scored points, finishing a notable P7 after an impressive Qualifying.

Nico Hulkenberg also utilises the upgrades on his car to propel himself to the top 10, and Sauber off the bottom of the WCC. Alpine are now last in the Constructors Championship, disappointing considering the start they had to the season.

The one-stop strategy rewarded both Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz, who finished P9 and P10, scoring a few points for the team, and solidifying their position in the Midfield.

Race Results



Standings

Next Race In Austria

Formula 1 has a 2-week break until their next outing at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, and the pressure is building on Lando Norris to bring home the results. Mercedes might be becoming a real contender now after their performances in Canada. A clean race by Verstappen, but he is still nearing a race ban due to the penalty points.

These are some of the considerations for the next outing on the 29th of June.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 13, 2025

By

Formula 1
Credits: Red Bull Content Pool

The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix that took place on June 1 2025, wrapped up the second triple header of the 75th edition of Formula 1. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya held the last Spanish Grand Prix, as the event is set to relocate to Madrid from 2026.

As two of the three triple headers of this season end, with the McLaren duo separated by 10 points and Max Verstappen breathing down their necks, let’s review how each of the 3-week long racing action has affected the championship battle.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Max, Lando and Oscar [Left to Right] at the Japanese GP 2025

Japan-Bahrain-Saudi Arabia

The opening triple header of the season delivered some great racing action. Max Verstappen proved to the world that he is never out of the championship fight, with his dominant pole-to-victory performance, despite McLaren having the car advantage. The Flying Dutchman marked his 4th consecutive win at Suzuka while the Papaya duo completed the podium. Hadjar gained his first points in Formula 1 in P8.

Oscar Piastri stood at the top step of the podium at Bahrain for his 50th Formula 1 race, delivering McLaren’s first ever win at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The young Australian started at pole and led every lap, showcasing his talent, while his teammate and championship rival, Lando Norris, finished P3 despite his 5-second penalty for a false start. Multiple technical failures and a pit signal fault resulted in Max finishing P6, costing him several championship points. The Dutch wasn’t the only one suffering from technical issues, as George Russell’s Mercedes faced multiple troubles, despite which he finished P2 fending off Norris.

Another weekend, another win for Piastri. This one is even more special as it led to him becoming the first Australian to lead the championship since Mark Webber, his manager, in 2010. Even though Verstappen received a 5-second penalty during the race, he finished P2. Ferrari seemed to finally get back into their rhythm as Charles Leclerc garnered the Italian team’s first podium of the year with a solid P3. Williams’ double points finish marked their surge among the midfield, pushing them up to 5th in the championship.

The triple header ended with Oscar Piastri leading the championship, 7 points ahead of teammate Lando Norris, who himself was just 5 points ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen. With the top 5 separated by only 30 points, the fight for the championship was on.

Imola-Monaco-Spain

The second and the most recent triple header had all three title contenders win each race. Max Verstappen overtook pole-sitter Oscar Piastri on the first lap to secure his 4th win here, while Lando and Oscar completed the podium. Franco Colapinto, who replaced rookie Jack Doohan from this race onwards, started and finished at P16, delivering a lukewarm debut performance.

At Monaco, Lando Norris secured his first win at the Principality, fending off homeboy Charles Leclerc in P2. Oscar stayed in P3, as most of the grid finished exactly where they qualified, apart from Fernando Alonso, claiming to be “the unluckiest driver”, who retired from P6 due to an engine failure.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Lando after his win at the Monaco GP (Credits: Formula 1)

The latest race, the Spanish Grand Prix, delivered equal parts of racing and drama. All was well till lap 60 when the safety car came out. RedBull pitted Max for a fourth time and sent him out with brand new hard tires, which, due to not warming up properly for the restart, led him to lose a position to Leclerc. Another incident with Russell resulted in Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase requesting him to let the Briton through. Initially refusing, on lap 64, Max appeared to let Russell go past him, but swerved into him on turn 5, causing a collision.

This unnecessary action and RedBull pit wall’s questionable decisions resulted in Verstappen being handed a 10-second penalty and 3 penalty points, which critically impacted his championship battle. Nico Hulkenberg in his Sauber, overtook 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari on the penultimate lap, securing a P5 finish. Fernando Alonso also ended his pointless run, garnering 2 points at his home grand prix. The McLaren duo clinched a 1-2 finish, avoiding all the drama behind them.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

The second triple header ends with Ferrari shooting up two places to reach P2 in the Constructors’ Championship Standings, although McLaren leads with a comfortable 197 points.

The Drivers’ Championship is very close, with Norris only 10 points behind the leader Piastri. Max, however, due to his 10-second penalty, lags by 49 points, staying at P3.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

The next and final triple header consists of the last three races of this season: Las Vegas-Qatar-Abu Dhabi. As the championship stands, it’s fair to speculate that the battle could go on till the final triple header. As we lie in wait till the next race weekend in Canada, let’s enjoy the on and off-track drama unfolding in front of our eyes.

Will Oscar Piastri be the first Australian World Champion since Alan Jones in 1980, or will teammate Lando Norris be successful in retaking the lead of the championship? Never count Max Verstappen out, as he also has the chance to defend his title. Any mid-season upgrades could bring George Russell or Charles Leclerc to the fight as well. The prestigious 75th anniversary of Formula 1 is definitely providing some great battles, which unfortunately can only be won by one.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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