'Liberty Media looking to bring another race to Asia'

Joas van Wingerden

Saturday 26 January 2019 15:16

Liberty Media appear to be looking to add another race in Asia to the Formula 1 calendar after The Independent reported that an application has been made by the sport's American owners to trademark branding for a potential race in the Philippines.

Liberty's plans to expand the racing schedule are no secret, with attempts being made to bring a race to the streets of Miami for much of the past year.

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The 2020 calendar could well feature Miami, while it will definitely include at least one new race, the Vietnam Grand Prix.

Formula 1's Head of Global Sponsorship Murray Barnett this week confirmed that Liberty are also determined to add a second race in China to the schedule as attempts are made to tap into more of the world's biggest population.

According to The independent, as well as trademarking the term 'Philippines Grand Prix', F1 have also tied up 'Manila Grand Prix', dropping a strong hint that the Filipino capital will host any potential race.

F1 CEO Chase Carey has previously suggested that a 25-race calendar is the goal for Liberty, but teams are thought to have objected to swelling the schedule too much further.

F1 embarked on its first triple-header in 2018, with the French, Austrian and British Grands Prix held on successive weekends.

The 2019 calendar does not feature a triple header, with a week's rest added between Spielberg and Silverstone.

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