Thailand eyes 2014 Grand Prix debut

Thailand is on track to secure a round of the 2014 world championship. The southeast Asian country made its intentions clear recently by successfully bidding to host this year's end-of-season Race of Champions in December, which will be attended by reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Talks have also been taking place about bringing Formula One to Thailand.

"Our discussions with Bernie Ecclestone have gone smoothly. We expect to get rights to host a Grand Prix from 2014 onwards," Kanokphand Chulakasem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, is quoted by the Phuket News.

The Thai daily The Nation said 51 per cent Red Bull energy drink owner and co-founder Chalerm Yoovidhya is playing a role in the logistics of the Thai Grand Prix. (GMM)