Vietnam’s Unused F1 Route
- HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — What was intended to be a vibrant addition to the Formula 1 calendar sits in disrepair five years after its anticipated debut.
- The global coronavirus pandemic initially put the brakes on the Hanoi Grand Prix, paralyzing much of public life and motorsports in 2020.However, even as races resumed elsewhere, Vietnam...
- Completed sections of the track have never been used and are now deteriorating.
Hanoi’s F1 Dream Fades: Unused Street Circuit Decays Five Years After planned Debut
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HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — What was intended to be a vibrant addition to the Formula 1 calendar sits in disrepair five years after its anticipated debut. A YouTube video reveals the current state of the Hanoi Street Circuit, a project sidelined first by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by corruption allegations.
Pandemic and Politics Derail vietnamese Grand Prix
The global coronavirus pandemic initially put the brakes on the Hanoi Grand Prix, paralyzing much of public life and motorsports in 2020.However, even as races resumed elsewhere, Vietnam remained absent from the Formula 1 schedule. Allegations of corruption against a key member of the Grand Prix committee surfaced, further jeopardizing the event. While the allegations were unrelated to the race itself, Hanoi was effectively dropped from consideration.
Nature reclaims the Abandoned Circuit
The Hanoi Street Circuit exists primarily on paper. Completed sections of the track have never been used and are now deteriorating. A video posted by “Beach Office” on YouTube documents the circuit’s decline, showing how nature is gradually reclaiming the area. Grass and bushes sprout where maintenance crews should have been working. Small plants push through cracks in the asphalt, and signs are fading.
Hints of a Forgotten Future
Despite the overall decay, some elements of the circuit remain surprisingly intact. The markings for the starting grid on the main straight are still in good condition, almost as if a Formula 1 race could be held there at any moment. The pit building and main grandstand also remain largely intact, though no longer new.
FIA Grade 1 Certification a Further Hurdle
Even if the Hanoi Street Circuit were fully operational,it could not currently host a Grand Prix. Only 38 circuits worldwide possess the FIA Grade 1 license required for formula 1 races. The Hanoi Street Circuit is not among them, according to the World Automobile Association’s overview.
Formula 1 Shifts Focus to New venues
Formula 1 appears to have abandoned the Vietnam racing project. Since 2021, the Hanoi race has been absent from even provisional calendars. The racing series has instead focused on new venues, including Saudi arabia (2021), Miami (2022), and Las Vegas (2023). A new city race is also planned for Madrid in 2026.
Hanoi’s F1 Dream: A Post-Mortem of a Grand Prix That Never Was
this article dives into the story of the abandoned Hanoi street Circuit, a Formula 1 project that never materialized. Let’s explore the reasons behind its failure.
What was the Hanoi Street Circuit?
The Hanoi Street Circuit was a planned Formula 1 race track in Hanoi, Vietnam. It was designed to be a street circuit, utilizing existing roads and incorporating temporary infrastructure to host the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Was the Hanoi Grand Prix ever held?
No, the Hanoi Grand Prix was never held. It was initially planned to debut, but the event was canceled before it ever got started.
what happened to the Hanoi Formula 1 race?
The project was ultimately scrapped due to a combination of factors:
COVID-19 Pandemic: The global pandemic put a halt to many public events and, as an inevitable result, the launch of the Hanoi Grand Prix.
Corruption Allegations: Allegations of corruption against a key figure within the Grand Prix committee arose, further damaging the project.
* Focus on New Venues: Formula 1 shifted its focus to other locations, including Saudi