Vietnamese Formula 1 Grand Prix Confirmed For 2020 In Hanoi

Formula 1 will head to Hanoi in April 2020 for the inaugural Vietnamese Grand Prix.

Vietnam joins the likes of Singapore, China, and Japan to host Formula 1 races in Asia and forms part of Liberty Media’s strategy to broaden the appeal of the sport throughout the continent.

The race will take place at a new street circuit that winds its way through the city of Hanoi. The track consists of 22 turns, stretches for 5.565 km (3.457 miles) and takes inspiration from a selection of racetracks around the world.

For example, Turns 1 and 2 will be based on the opening corners of the Nurburgring F1 circuit in Germany. Elsewhere, the circuit includes a section inspired by the Monaco street circuit which runs up the hill to Massenet from turn 1. At the Hanoi street circuit, this section consists of Turns 12, 13, 14, and 15. Inspiration has also been taken from the famous Esses at Suzuka with Turn 16, 17, 18, and 19 promising to deliver spectacular changes of direction from the cars while pushing the drivers to their limits.

Last but not least, the track includes three long straights, one which stretches for 1.5 km (0.93 miles) which should see cars hitting about 335 km/h (208 mph).

“We are delighted to announce that Hanoi will host a Formula 1 Grand Prix,” chairman and chief executive of Formula 1 Chase Carey said.

“Since we became involved in this sport in 2017, we have talked about developing new destination cities to broaden the appeal of Formula 1 and the Vietnamese Grand Prix is a realization of that ambition.”

Liberty Media wants to add further races to the F1 calendar, including at least one more race in the United States.