Layout of the Hanoi F1 track.
As designed, the circuit will be more than 5.5km in length, with 22 turns. It will stretch over part of the My Dinh Sports Complex, while one section will be part of a public road. Once completed, it will become the F1’s 4th treet race, together with Monaco, Singapore and Azerbaijan.
Several cues of the Hanoi track have been taken from existing F1 tracks, for example, the tight Turns 1 and 2 modelled on the opening sequence at the Nurburgring, Germany.
Besides, the section out of Turn 12 will weave through the barriers in a manner similar to the climb out of Sainte Devote in Monaco. Moreover, a later section of the track, through Turns 16 to 19, is similar to the Esses at Suzuka.
The circuit layout also features long straights, one of which is 1.5km in length and should see cars reach speeds of around 335km/h (208mph).
In addition, an area has been zoned off for the construction of a control centre, a grandstand, warehouse, parking lot and helipads to serve racing teams and spectators.
This track will be designed by the Formula One Group in collaboration with ubiquitous F1 designer Hermann Tilke Germany, meeting all technical and safety requirements as regulated by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
Delegates press button to kick-start construction on Formula One (F1) Hanoi Grand Prix racetrack in Hanoi. (Source: VNA)
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung emphasised that Hanoi believes the world’s most attractive race will be organised on schedule and meet the expectations of Vietnamese people as well as F1 lovers worldwide.
At theground-breaking ceremony the circuit, Jean Todt, FIA President, said this event would give to Vietnam and particularly Hanoi an international exposure.
“This major event will give to Vietnam - and particularly its capital - an international exposure,” FIA President Jean Todt said at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the circuit.
The 5.565-km circuit in the west of Hanoi is scheduled to be completed by March next year, grand prix parent Vingroup said in a statement, as the race is set to take place in the summer of that year.
While the country does not have much of a motorsports tradition, sporting events or competitions in which the national team does even marginally well are widely watched and passionately celebrated.
“I look forward to seeing you in a year’s time on the starting grid of the first Formula 1 Vietnamese Grand Prix in Hanoi,” Todt said.
Vietnam will be the third Southeast Asian country to host a F1 race, after Malaysia and Singapore.
