Renowned British journalist and motorsport analyst Joe Sovard, who has been covering the Formula 1 championship since the 1980s, reported on Uzbekistan’s possible interest in hosting a Formula 1 race on its territory.
On the sidelines of the Singapore Grand Prix, which took place at the Marina Bay circuit, representatives of several Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, actively discussed the prospects of organizing future Formula 1 races. This was reported by Joe Sovard, a permanent accredited correspondent for the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and author of the popular blog Joe’s Blog F1, dedicated to the behind-the-scenes aspects of motorsport.
According to Sovard, Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a promising center for the development of international motorsport events in Central Asia. “The paddock at Marina Bay was as lively as ever, and there are rumors that representatives from Thailand, Korea, and even Uzbekistan were discussing possible F1 races in the city in the future,” the expert noted in his recent review. He emphasized that the initiative is in line with Tashkent’s strategic course to modernize infrastructure and strengthen the country’s international image through sport.
Sport is playing an increasingly important role in public life in Uzbekistan. Recently, the national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history, which gave a significant boost to the development of mass and professional sports.
The government is showing considerable interest in motorsports, undertaking to finance the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent in December this year.
Sovard, whose materials are highly valued in professional circles for their depth of analysis and access to insider information, sees these steps as having the potential to expand the geography of Formula 1. “It is clear that there is interest in cars in the country,” he comments, emphasizing that such initiatives contribute not only to the sporting but also to the economic progress of the region.
