Formula 1 News: China eyes two F1 races per year

Plans to build a FIA grade 1 circuit in Guangzhou, China, capable of hosting Formula 1 (F1) races, have been announced by the city’s officials.

Upon completion, the circuit would become the second such Formula 1 (F1) track in China. The first, in Shanghai, is scheduled to host the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix this weekend. The circuit opened in 2004.

Guangzhou’s upcoming track – which will include a comprehensive racing sports park – reportedly comes with a price tag of 20 billion yuan. A timeline for the new track’s construction has yet to be made public.

The proposal was announced as part of the recently released Guangdong Province 2024 Key Construction Project Plan, which includes more than 1,500 provincial projects worth a combined 8.1 trillion yuan (US$1.12 trillion).

Motorsport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), is the certifying authority for F1 tracks. To obtain an FIA grade 1 license, a track must meet strict criteria.

The Shanghai International Circuit was designed by German track designer Hermann Tilke, whose portfolio includes the likes of the Sepang International Circuit and the Bahrain International Circuit.

Since its completion in June 2004, the circuit has been the venue for the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, with the inaugural race held in September of that same year.

Over the years, Shanghai has hosted a total of 16 Chinese Grand Prix, consistently attracting capacity crowds with its grandstands accommodating up to 200,000 spectators annually.

This month, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking its return to China after a five-year hiatus.

Ticket sales for the event have garnered an enthusiastic response from fans, with tickets selling out immediately and surrounding hotels fully booked.

A F1 event is expected to bring significant passenger flow to Guangzhou.

Using Shanghai as a benchmark, F1, a globally renowned sporting event, draws racing enthusiasts from across the globe to the city.

The anticipated completion of the F1 racetrack in Guangzhou is poised to elevate international passenger flow and stimulate the growth of the tourism industry.

Where would the F1 circuit will be built? Baiyun District, Panyu District, or Nansha District?