Vietnam to Host Formula 1 Race from 2020 in Hanoi

Only a few decades ago, Vietnam was embroiled in a war that saw millions of lives lost from both sides of the conflict. Fast forward to April 2020 and the once-embattled country will host its very first Formula 1 race.

To be promoted by Vingroup, a local conglomerate that's into real estate development, the Vietnam Grand Prix will be held on the streets of Hanoi, using both existing and purpose-built roads. It will be the series's fourth street race following Monaco, Singapore and Azerbaijan, will have 22 turns over a 5.565-kilometer course, and is located on the western side of Hanoi in the vicinity of the My Dinh National Stadium.

"We are excited to see that our work with Formula 1 to secure this deal has finally come to fruition," said Vingroup Vice Chairman and CEO, Nguyen Viet Quang. "With the mission of 'a better life for Vietnamese people,' Vingroup wants to bring this race to Vietnam because of the general benefits to the society such as more jobs will be created, the infrastructure of Hanoi will be upgraded, and other bigger worldwide events will be encouraged to take place in Vietnam. For Vingroup individually, through the F1 racing event, we are going to proclaim the first Vietnamese car manufacturer, VinFast, to millions of audiences in the world."

To be designed by circuit design company Tilke led by Hermann Tilke, designer of most of today's modern F1 tracks, the Hanoi circuit will be characterized by its long straights--one of which measures 1.5km in length with expected speeds of 335 kph through the speed trap--and corners that are based on some of the tracks used by the series today.

Turns 1 and 2, for example, are based on the opening corners at Germany's Nurburgring circuit. Turns 12 through 15 are inspired by a section of the Monaco street circuit, specifically from Turn 1 and the run up the hill to Massenet. Turns 16 to 19 features fast changes of direction reminiscent of the sweeping Esses at Suzuka while the final three corners are inspired by the fast left-right followed by a tightening radius entry of Malaysia's Sepang. That final sequence, which completes the lap, allows a chasing driver to pick up a slipstream and launch an attack into the first turn.

Although the final circuit and building detail designs still need to be signed off, the build process for the inaugural race has already begun and will run from now right up until race day itself on April 2020.

"Our Motosport team, working in collaboration with the City of Hanoi and promoter Vingroup, has worked to enable a circuit that will not only test the drivers but also ensure that our fans enjoy the racing spectacle," said Formula 1 Chairman and CEO Chase Carey. "We are really looking forward to seeing Formula 1 cars speeding around the streets of this fantastic city from 2020."

Check out what the track will be like in detail in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7CvkGNtHTs