Vietnam GP awaiting approval for 2020 F1 spot

Vietnam Grand Prix awaiting approval for 2020 F1 spot

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Monday 8 October 2018 13:59

Liberty Media are poised to strike a deal for a Vietnam Grand Prix to be confirmed on the 2020 Formula 1 calendar. F1's American owners have been desperate to strike deals for new races since replacing Bernie Ecclestone, however the Hanoi race is an agreement set up by the former supremo.

Ecclestone revealed in February this year that a deal worth $50million was waiting to be struck in order to take F1 to Vietnam.

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After Liberty's attempts to add a street race in Miami to next year's calendar fell flat, the 2019 schedule will run largely unchanged from this year's – with the same 21 races present.

However, it appears that changes could be afoot in 2020, with Miami set to return to the agenda, and now a part-street circuit in Hanoi also potentially arriving.

"There is no actual progress at building the track, but the site has been identified," FIA race director Charlie Whiting said.

"It is in the advanced stages of design and I think, as far as I am aware, they are aiming for a 2020 Grand Prix. That shouldn't be a problem based on previous experience.

"It is mainly on the streets, but there is a section that is not yet built. That is an open site where the pit buildings are going to be built.

"Part of the track will be built there, which doesn't exist at the moment. But it will become a road after that."

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