Hainan’s local government has signaled its intention to bring Formula 1 racing to the southern island, after unveiling development plans aimed at making the province’s premier motorsport event a success.
Announcing the partnership with Dingji Automotive Culture Co, the International Cultural Exchange Center of Hainan Province said the partnership will focus on “bringing Formula 1 racing events to Hainan, planning and building professional circuits, developing commercial racing activities, creating an integrated automotive culture and promoting comprehensive sports, culture and tourism cooperation”.
According to the center, a department of the state’s tourism, culture and sports office, the F1 project “will take the world-class Formula One race as its main engine” and include facilities such as “circuits, car repair facilities, racing training schools, comprehensive medical services and five-star hotels”.
The island hosted the Sanya ePrix, part of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, during the 2018-19 season.
The top-class electric single-seater competition will return this June at the Haitang Bay Circuit, a 2.236km temporary street circuit with 11 corners, located 24km from Sanya.
However, Hainan faces major obstacles to host the world’s top racing community in the near future.
