FIA president Jean Todt believes the upcoming Formula 1 race in Vietnam is a great opportunity to grow motorsport in the region.
This week, construction began on areas of the street circuit in Hanoi that will be permanent, which mostly consists of a flowing final sector next to a stadium.
However, at a time when many historic races are under threat in Europe, the new Asian event has become a target for those believe F1 bosses are putting money over tradition.
“It [the F1 race] is fantastic for the development of the motorsport in Vietnam and in the region,” Todt argued at a ceremony marking the start of building work.
“I really hope that soon there will also be facilities to host kart racing, drifting racing. You have young people, talented with a passion for motorsports, that’s why I think it’s very important to involve very quickly a new category of motorsport.”
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Asia is in need of a new F1 race too, with Malaysia’s departure from the calendar after 2017 leaving only Singapore, Japan and China on the schedule.