F1 resident architect Hermann Tilke viewed the 12-month time frame to build the street track for next year’s Vietnam Grand Prix as short but feasible, said the German architect in an interview with Auto, Motor und Sport.

The design of the F1 race track in Hanoi.

Last November, Hanoi announced that it would be the host of the F1 race from April 2020, after Vingroup, the promoter of the race, and US group Liberty Media, the F1’s owner, agreed a 10-year deal, which could be extended in the eighth year. 

Under the deal, Tilke’s design office entrusted with mapping out and building the 5.565km street circuit that should provide drivers with a few big challenges. 

The layout's highlight will likely be the track's 1.5 kilometer straight - the third longest stretch on the F1 calendar after Spa and Baku.

Tilke said at the end of the straight there would be a grandstand with seats for 35,000 people, adding that it would give the atmosphere like in a football stadium. 

With construction starting at the end of this month, Tilke and his crews will be on a tight schedule to have everything finished by April, when F1 will begin to set up shop at the venue.

According to Tilke, this would be rather ambitious, but it is not the first time they have done this, as they had only 14 months to build for a complete track in Bahrain. 

One would believe that developing a street circuit would not require as much time as the construction of a permanent circuit. Tilke pushed back on that notion however, saying that there are many more details to consider than for a completely new course. 

Tilke promised that, unlike some other modern street circuits, Hanoi will be liked by drivers due to the high level of difficulties. 

Tilke also revealed that the racing should be exciting in Vietnam, thanks in part to a very small time penalty for making a pitstop.

At a press meeting on November 7, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung said the Formula 1 Vietnamese Grand Prix would be an opportunity to showcase the city of Hanoi to the world with its special combination of ancient and modern beauty. 

Chasey Carey, chairman and chief executive of Fomurla 1, said Hanoi is one of the most exciting cities in the world right now with such a rich history and an incredible future. 

Carey expected the racing in Hanoi to become a real highlight of the F1 calendar. 

Formula One posted yearly revenue of US$1.8 billion, mainly thanks to broadcasting rights, advertisement and sponsor. Currently, 19 of the 21 races are funded by respective governments of the countries where the race is hosted, paying the fee of US$50-60 million annually.  

Hanoitimes