F1 will "accelerate eastwards in search of new venues and new money," according to Kevin Eason of the LONDON TIMES. With eight circuits in the Middle and Far East "already on the calendar for
next season," F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone is ready to "welcome two more." Ecclestone arrived on Wednesday in Sochi -- the "latest to join the roster
with the Russian Grand Prix this weekend -- fresh from outlining plans for a
so-called European Grand Prix in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku." Next up
"could be Thailand after an F1-standard circuit was opened there last
weekend." As circuits in F1's traditional heartland in Europe "struggle to finance grands
prix that can cost swingeing fees" of up to £20M ($32.3M) a year, new hosts,
"usually backed by government, are waiting to plug the gap." Although Baku is "technically on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, it is
claiming European status" to host its grand prix in '16. Oil-rich and "ambitious, the grand prix follows a host of global sporting and cultural events in the city." More than 130,000 people "turned up last weekend for the first event" at the
Chang Int'l Circuit, about 250 miles north of Bangkok in Thailand. Organizers signed a deal to race in Thailand but the "original plans to race on
the streets of Bangkok were scuppered by the city authorities on planning
grounds but the Chang circuit is said to be of grade one status and capable
of hosting F1" (LONDON TIMES, 10/8).
