That Hanoi hosts the Formula one (F1) racing will contribute a significant part to the economy, promote the city and the country's image and tourism, President of International Automobile Federation (FIA) Jean Todt told Hanoitimes on the sidelines of a meeting with the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung on March 19.

President of International Automobile Federation (FIA), Jean Todt. 

What is your assessment of the Formula One to be held  in Hanoi?

Firstly, I’m very honored to receive the invitation of Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung to visit and work in Hanoi. I found that the commitment of Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung in the working session on March 19 will contribute to the first success of Formula one racing - F1 in Vietnam, cause I can feel the commitment and efforts of Hanoi in organizing and hosting the Formula one racing - F1.

Secondly, I'm honored to witness the groundbreaking ceremony of Formula one racing - F1 on March 20. I hope this event will be the first step for the development of thisracing sport in Vietnam. In addition, by encouraging the development of new sports as well as fostering young Vietnamese talents, Vietnamese racers will have a chance to be able to participate in international competitions. This will be an opportunity to raise people's awareness of traffic safety.

Will the FIA provide any support to Hanoi to organize the Formula One Race in 2020?

As the head of the FIA, the racing sport management agency in the world, FIA has supported Vietnam by recognizing the Vietnamese sports management agency as a member of the FIA and this recognition will officially launched in December 2019 during the FIA Annual Meeting.

That Vietnam has a sports management agency recognized by FIA will help to create more favorable conditions for the process of organizing the Formula One racing - F1 in Hanoi and ensure all issues related to the technical, sports and safety aspects of Formula one racing - F1 in Vietnam are absolutely guaranteed.

That Hanoi hosts Formula one racing - F1 will surely bring opportunities for Hanoi to promote image and tourism to international friends. What do you think about this possibility?

The Formula One racing - F1 event is an important international event equivalent to the Olympic Games or the World Cup (FIFA World Cup). However, the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup are only held every four years, while Formula One racing - F1 is held annually in 22 countries around the world.

That Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general holds the Formula One racing - F1 will bring the name of Hanoi and Vietnam to the global map next to other Asian countries honored to host this race, including Japan, Korea, China, Singapore and Malaysia. This contributes a great part to the economy, promoting image and tourism for Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general.

Hanoitimes