PH Grand Prix potentially hosts F1 race

F1 filed for the trademark application at the Intellectual Property Office in Taguig last January 7, saying that this is “the first time the Philippines has ever been publicly linked with an F1 race.” (File Photo: F1/Facebook)

With the Singapore Grand Prix (GP) currently being the only Southeast Asia Formula One (F1) host and the Vietnamese GP set for 2020, the prestigious auto-race plans to bring a third destination to the subregion as it has applied for the trademark of the Philippine Grand Prix.

According to British newspaper the Independent, F1 filed for the trademark application at the Intellectual Property Office in Taguig last January 7, saying that this is “the first time the Philippines has ever been publicly linked with an F1 race,” requiring around P2.78 billion to organize a race track, excluding hosting fee.

This is while a race track circuit is being built in Lubao, Pampanga, named Pradera Verde Racing Circuit, which is designed by former race car driver Hermann Tilke, who has also created race tracks in Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Bahrain, and China. The proposed circuit will get an International Automobile Federation (FIA) Grade 2 certification, which can hold international races except for Formula One, Tilke still figuring out how to further develop the track for otherwise. Pradera Verde Racing Circuit is expected to be completed in 2021, as per Tilke’s visit last November.

SpaceFabrik, which is an architecture firm based in Mandaluyong but taking part in building the racetrack, shared with ABS-CBN News that “100 hectares are allocated for a racing circuit,” stating that, “The client’s goal is to have a premier racing destination in Southeast Asia.” SpaceFrabrik reported, “The Philippines currently has only two racing circuits that are operating and have only held Formula 4 as their highest-rated FiA (International Automobile Federation) event. One of the aims is to have at least FiA Grade 2 circuit with a length of 5 kilometers and a host of support and commercial facilities to make it attractive to motorsports enthusiasts.”