Thailand's aspirations to become Formula 1's newest grand prix locale seem to have encountered a major obstacle.
In April, amid speculation of a potential street race in Bangkok in the future, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali made a trip to the Southeast Asian nation to confer with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Thavisin also attended further discussions with Formula 1 dignitaries at Imola this year, where he expressed his "policy to place Thailand on the global radar for international events and activities."
This visit left Angelo Sticchi Damiani, an Italian auto industry leader representing both Imola and Monza, quite apprehensive.
"We are in a context where everything is changing rapidly," he commented, concerned that one of Italy's prestigious races might be sacrificed for a new deal with Thailand. "The prime minister of an Asian country that wants F1 was present in Imola."
Nevertheless, the dynamics have recently shifted against Thailand. Just a few days ago, the Thai constitutional court mandated Thavisin's resignation due to his appointment of a minister previously convicted of bribery.
Despite the apparent derailment of Thailand's F1 proposal, 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve does not view this as a catastrophe, as he believes another region globally merits hosting a grand prix more.
"F1 is global, more than it has ever been, and Africa is a continent that's missing," he stated to Prime Casino. "So it seems logical that there should be a push to go to Africa.
"Honestly, it's also very political, where (F1) goes," he added.
