Hong Kong advised to develop Formula 1 roots before bidding to host a grand prix
Hong Kong should focus on developing a greater motorsports culture before bidding to host a Formula 1 race, a top official from the sport's governing body has told the Post.
Speaking on the sidelines of the annual conference of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in Macau, Valerio Iachizzi suggested that focusing on karting and esports would be a better use of time and resources.
For Iachizzi, who as the governing body's secretary general for sport has responsibility for its 149 member clubs and community organisations, 'enlarging the base of the pyramid' was the primary goal, with events marking the pinnacle of motorsport coming afterwards.
But with Bangkok on track to join an F1 calendar that already includes Shanghai and Singapore, there has been renewed interest in getting Hong Kong on the circuit.
FIA secretary general for sport Valerio Iachizzi. Photo: FIA
Iachizzi said he had spoken to Peter Goh, the CEO of the Hong Kong China Automobile Association (HKAA), and been told the government was 'pushing to get Formula 1'.
Officials, though, would still have to convince the governing body, and find the billions of dollars needed to host an event.
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