Vietnamese Grand Prix

The Vietnamese Grand Prix, (Vietnamese: Giải đua Việt Nam[1]), is a Formula One motor race that was due to first take place on 5 April 2020,[2] but was then postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] The race will be held on the Hanoi Street Circuit, a temporary street circuit on the streets of the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.

Vietnamese Grand Prix
Hanoi Street Circuit
Race information
First held2020 (planned)
Circuit length5.613 km (3.488 mi)
Race length308.715 km (191.826 mi)
Laps55

History

Plans for a race in Vietnam were first explored by former Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone, who ultimately abandoned the idea as there were already five races in Asia at the time (since then the Malaysian Grand Prix has dropped off the calendar). Ecclestone also acknowledged that the failure of the Korean and Indian Grands Prix left him doubtful of the long-term viability of a race in Vietnam.[4]

The idea was revived after Liberty Media purchased the commercial rights to the sport from CVC Capital Partners in January 2017. The Vietnamese Grand Prix was announced in November 2018, becoming the first new race under Liberty Media's ownership.[5] The race is set to join the existing Grand Prix held in Southeast Asia, the Singapore Grand Prix.

The inaugural Vietnamese Grand Prix was initially scheduled to be held on 5 April 2020 as part of a multi-year contract, but was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Circuit
Main article: Hanoi Street Circuit

The race is due to be held on a 5.613 kilometres (3.488 mi) temporary street circuit on the streets of Hanoi. The circuit, going anticlockwise, is being designed by Hermann Tilke in collaboration with City of Hanoi authorities.[7] The circuit will initially feature a hybrid of public roads and a purpose-built section which will later be opened to the public.[8] An extra corner was later added to the third sector of the circuit by organisers for safety reasons, making a total of 23 turns.[7]

Official names

References
  1. "Giải đua xe Công thức 1 tại Việt Nam | F1 Vietnam Grand Prix 2020". www.f1vietnamgp.com.
  2. "Formula 1 pre-season testing dates and race calendar confirmed for 2020". Formula1.com. Formula One World Championship Limited. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  3. "Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix postponed". www.formula1.com. 2020-03-13. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  4. Coch, Mat (9 October 2018). "F1 could add Vietnam to 2020 calendar". Speedcafe. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  5. "Vietnam to host Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2020". Formula1.com. Formula One World Championship Limited. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  6. "Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix postponed". 13 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  7. "Vietnam adds extra corner to F1 circuit". motorsport.com. Motor Sport. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  8. Herrero, Daniel (7 November 2018). "Vietnam secures 2020 Formula 1 berth". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  9. "Vietnam". Formula1.com. Formula One World Championship Limited. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
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