The Vietnam Grand Prix has been effectively postponed, with no word as to when it will push through in the near future.
Initially set for the 5th of April, the event had to be pushed back in light of the ongoing pandemic. But although there is no exact date as to when it will be taking place, organisers have assured fans that efforts to hold the anticipated race are still well underway.
Fans of Formula 1 can still look forward to heading to Vietnam to witness the uniqueness of its circuit. In addition, the country is one of those rare places where you could turn your trip into a full-blown holiday thanks to its beautiful beaches, found less than three hours from Hanoi Street Circuit.
An ExpatBets’ guide to things to do in Vietnam also emphasises that there are plenty of sandboarding, hiking, and kayaking options for those who want to experience more extreme sports while visiting the country.
Even if your only intention is to catch the race, you can still bask in what Vietnam has to offer, and immerse yourself in some holiday beach action, as well as exploring their traditional south-east Asian culture infused with the country’s French colonial past.
Prior to being a host country for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, motor racing was a virtually unknown sport in Vietnam. Football remains to be the most popular sport, so much so that in February, hundreds of thousands of fans stormed the streets to celebrate the country’s U-23 football team’s victory.
The new owners are hoping to tap into this energy, anticipating that racing will soon be embraced by the residents of the country. And now that Formula 1 is about to have a foothold in Hanoi, it will be the race’s fourth Grand Prix in Asia, joining the ranks of China, Japan, and Singapore, which hosts night races every September.
Fans can look forward to the Hanoi Street Circuit, which features a unique 22-turn, 5.565km track. It boasts several corners inspired by circuits Suzuka and Nürburgring, as well as have sections that resemble the famous Monaco street circuit. Corners 16 to 19 were designed to mimic the Esses at Suzuka, and the section that comes after has the track curving back on itself.
What’s more, fans can also expect plenty of action, as the circuit necessitates the need for mechanical grip in the slower areas, and the long straights will challenge teams to maximise speeds, all while creating downforce to attack and defend the corners.
All these sound promising and organisers remain optimistic that they’ll be able to push through with the event this year. However, this could prove to be tricky, considering rescheduling a race built on a temporary street circuit presents more logistical issues compared to permanent race tracks that are easier to manage.
Still, the organisers are closely monitoring the situation and looking forward to announcing an alternative date. In the meantime, fans are encouraged to keep their purchase of their F1 VinFast Vietnam Grand Prix tickets and remind themselves that an amazing event is waiting for them.
