F1 track that cost £540m was abandoned before staging a Grand Prix and is now completely overgrown..
The Hanoi Circuit in Vietnam is a prime example of an abandoned F1 track that cost a staggering £540 million to build. Designed by renowned architect Herman Tilke, the 5.613-kilometer track featured 23 turns and one of the longest straights on the F1 calendar. Initially, the circuit was set to host the Vietnamese Grand Prix in April 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent corruption charges against Hanoi’s mayor, Nguyen Duc Chung, the event was canceled.
Key Facts About the Abandoned Track
– *Construction Cost*: The track’s construction cost was estimated to be around $600 million (£540 million).
– *Design and Features*: The circuit combined public roads and a purpose-built section, showcasing a mix of challenging turns and high-speed straights.
– *Current State*: Photos taken in 2022 revealed the track was overgrown with greenery, indicating it’s been abandoned for an extended period.
Impact of the Abandonment
– *Loss of Investment*: The cancellation of the Vietnamese Grand Prix resulted in a significant loss of investment for the track’s construction.
– *Corruption Charges*: The arrest of Hanoi’s mayor on corruption charges unrelated to the Grand Prix further complicated the project.
– *Future Prospects*: Despite other countries like Thailand, Argentina, and South Africa showing interest in hosting F1 races, there’s no indication that the Hanoi Circuit will be revived soon ¹.
