{"id":472480,"date":"2026-02-11T08:49:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T08:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/472480\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T08:49:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T08:49:19","slug":"does-macao-really-need-a-formula-1-grand-prix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/472480\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Macao really need a Formula 1 Grand Prix?"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the muggy streets of Singapore to the arid boulevards of Las Vegas, Formula 1 (F1) is international in every sense of the word, with the current calendar consisting<\/a> of 24 races spanning 21 countries and regions.<\/p>\n

Although Macao has never served as an F1 host, calls have been made over the years for the city to join the ranks. One proponent included Max Mosley, the former president of motorsports\u2019 governing body, the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale de l\u2019Automobile (FIA). He pitched the idea to the then-head of the Macau Grand Prix organising committee, Jo\u00e3o Manuel Costa Antunes, after visiting the city\u2019s Guia Circuit<\/a> in 1993.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The proposal ultimately fell flat, as Antunes made it clear that Macao\u2019s Guia Circuit would be unable to accommodate F1 vehicles due to the narrow nature of the track, especially around the infamous Melco hairpin, which has a width of just seven metres.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Still, the dream of bringing the world\u2019s highest motorsports class to the SAR has persisted, with former F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone lobbying for such races in 2000 before Antunes once again highlighted that it would not be feasible under the existing circuit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[See more: \u2018Nothing prepares you for Macao,\u2019 says FIA F4 World Cup winner Jules Roussel<\/a>]<\/p>\n

A more recent attempt to draw attention to the issue occurred in December 2025, when lawmaker Angela Leong urged<\/a> the Macao government to consider<\/a> the possibility of staging an F1 event using the roomier roads of Cotai, citing F1 champion Lewis Hamilton as saying that Macao was an ideal place for an F1 night race.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Leong argued that such a championship could be organised alongside concerts, cultural exhibitions and other large-scale offerings, creating a high-profile event beneficial to the local tourism and nighttime economy in a way not unlike the races offered in Las Vegas and Singapore. On top of this, the legislator brought up the idea of a crossboundary Macao-Hengqin circuit capable of hosting international competitions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The response from Macao\u2019s secretary for culture and social affairs, O Lam was ambivalent. \u201cI think this might be a long-term plan, but it\u2019s not impossible,\u201d she said. \u201cWe may need some time for assessment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

What would it take to hold an F1 in Macao?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Supposing Macao was serious about hosting F1 races, it would need to back up its words with concrete action, says Matthew Marsh<\/a>, a motorsports consultant and former race car driver.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hire the people [e.g. consultants, designers and engineers]\u2026you spend the money, you do it properly, and then you go to F1 and say, \u2018can we have a conversation?\u2019\u201d the F1 analyst notes. \u201cThat\u2019s a significant investment in time and money, but that\u2019s when you get taken seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glenn McCartney<\/a>, an associate professor in integrated resort and tourism management at the University of Macau, agrees that any proposal to stage an F1 Grand Prix on the Cotai Strip needs to be underpinned by empirical research and clear objectives. He highlights the need to assess both the positives and negatives of such an event, including the displacement of visitors due to the disruption caused by the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisplacement means it might impact gaming revenue,\u201d he notes. \u201cIt might impact visitors who don\u2019t come because of the noise or just don\u2019t come that weekend.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

As for examples of best practice that Macao could look to when preparing for an F1 application, Marsh points to the Thai government\u2019s attempt as \u201cexactly the right way\u201d to approach such an undertaking. The Southeast Asian nation\u2019s efforts to stage an F1 race in Bangkok can be traced<\/a> as far back as 1939, although its most recent attempt dates back in April 2024 to when ex-Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin suggested hosting a Bangkok Grand Prix to strengthen the country\u2019s tourism sector.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following Thavisin\u2019s removal in August 2024, his successor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, doubled down on the idea of an F1 race in Bangkok, assessing<\/a> the feasibility of such an event by considering areas such as location, infrastructure and investment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[See more: Here\u2019s what to do during the Macau Grand Prix<\/a>]<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore they [the Thai government] went to F1, they\u2019d already done the groundwork, which is expensive,\u201d Marsh notes. \u201cBut what it meant was that when they approached F1, they approached them with \u2018we\u2019ve done the work\u2019 and \u2018we\u2019re serious about this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The effort paid off, as F1 president Stefano Domenicali described<\/a> Thailand\u2019s F1 plans as \u201cimpressive\u201d after discussions with Shinawatra in March 2025. In a post-meeting statement, the F1 boss wrote he was \u201clooking forward to continuing our discussions in the weeks and months ahead.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Marsh says the ousting of Shinawatra and her officials in charge of the F1 project in August 2025 has put the prospect of a Bangkok Grand Prix up in the air. Still, Thailand\u2019s preparatory experience could serve as a template for Macao if the city is determined to secure a spot on the calendar.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the motorsports analyst rightly points out, \u201cyou need to think about the economic impact, the positive impact on the citizens, and also potentially the negatives\u2026so that when you present the plan, everyone goes, this is great overall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Is an F1 race in Macao really the answer?\u00a0<\/p>\n

As it stands, Marsh questions whether Macao needs to establish an F1 event on the Cotai Strip, especially when the city already has the well-established and iconic Guia Circuit.<\/p>\n

For starters, he isn\u2019t convinced the Macao market would reap significant economic benefits from hosting an F1 championship in the same way as Singapore.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The motorsports expert points to Macao\u2019s current tourism market composition, which consists<\/a> largely of visitors from mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian nations. Introducing a Macao F1 race, Marsh says, would only \u201cminimally\u201d boost inbound tourism and other business from these locations, as \u201cthey already know about Macao.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even if the SAR manages to attract a significant number of visitor arrivals via an F1 event, there is still the question of whether the city has enough hotel rooms to accommodate such a massive influx of guests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

McCartney notes that \u201ceven with the concerts we have in Macao right now, we just don\u2019t have the hotel inventory, particularly [on] weekends.\u201d<\/p>\n

For reference, the 3-day long 2025 Singapore Grand Prix attracted<\/a> over 300,000 fans versus the roughly 116,000 spectators who attended<\/a> the 4-day long 2025 Macau Grand Prix. Official data indicates<\/a> that Macao only had 45,005 guest rooms as of November 2025.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the UM professor also sees Macao\u2019s lack of guest rooms as offering further opportunities for collaboration and partnership with neighbouring cities, especially in light of the significant amount of border crossings that already take place during concerts and shows.<\/p>\n

Aside from hotel rooms, Marsh points to the cost-benefit imbalance of hosting F1 races in Macao, which would involve the city shouldering hosting and operational fees that could far exceed any potential economic benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[See more: Hana Burton on women in racing, starting late and her dream of Super GT<\/a>]<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see the increase in business that Macao would generate by having an F1 Grand Prix being anything more than a pimple on the backside of the costs,\u201d Marsh argues.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Indeed, one estimate made<\/a> by Forbes back in 2017 put the figure for staging a 10-year F1 Grand Prix at US$1 billion, a sum that hardly seems appealing, especially when the Macao government\u2019s 2026 policy address speaks<\/a> of the \u201cnumerous challenges to Macao\u2019s economic and social development,\u201d including an \u201cinternational environment [that] is complex and volatile.\u201d<\/p>\n

As well, the racing expert questions the idea that an F1 night race in Macao would be \u201cunique,\u201d as other cities, including Singapore and Las Vegas already offer street circuits around casinos.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DoesMacao F3 champion Andr\u00e9 Couto believes an F1 Cotai circuit would be \u2018a dream come true,\u2019 but concedes that such a track cannot replace the current Guia Circuit \u2013 Photo by Robk23oxf\/Wikimedia<\/p>\n

Macao racer and F3 champion, Andr\u00e9 Couto<\/a> shares a different view from Marsh when it comes to holding an F1 race on the Cotai Strip, describing such an event as \u201ca dream come true for any motorsports lover.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think money is the only issue that [will] make it happen or not,\u201d Couto says, adding that the city would also need to brace itself for significant infrastructural changes if a F1 race were to go ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The driver also believes that having an additional track in Macao would definitely boost motorsports activity in the region. He notes that the Zhuhai International Circuit is currently the only one in the region where events<\/a> are taking place on a weekly basis.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As for the proposed Hengqin-Macao crossboundary circuit, Marsh admits that it is \u201can interesting idea,\u201d as it would be the first Grand Prix of its kind to cross between different\u00a0<\/p>\n

jurisdictions. At the same time, he points to the logistical issues involved in such a proposal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

McCartney also recognises the logistical challenges, drawing parallels with the crossboundary cycling competition<\/a> that was successfully carried out between China, Macao and Hong Kong during the 2025 National Games. However, the academic believes that cooperation between government agencies would make it workable, with precedents in the events industry involving participants entering a particular jurisdiction visa-free.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Revamping the Macau Grand Prix\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rather than seeking to introduce a brand new F1 event or crossborder circuit, Marsh believes that Macao stands to benefit more from better leveraging the current Macau Grand Prix, which he notes is historically significant and beloved by many of the world\u2019s top racers. A video posted<\/a> by the FIA late last year highlights this clearly, with drivers such as Peter Dumbreck and Max Verstappen praising the Guia Circuit for its challenge and uniqueness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Couto also holds the Guia Circuit in great esteem. When asked if it could be replaced by a potential Cotai F1 track, the racer says \u201cit should not be replaced\u201d because of its history and unique traits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The racer makes it clear that the international reputation of motorsports in Macao rests with the track layout, which he notes is \u201cso special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think a Cotai Strip [circuit] can make that kind of special feeling that you have on the [Guia] track,\u201d Couto says. \u201cYou have many types of corners. It\u2019s a crazy track. Basically, you cannot reproduce that in a normal track.\u201d<\/p>\n

From Marsh\u2019s point of view, the racing product of the Macau Grand Prix is already perfect as it is, with the China-Macau Motorsports Club doing \u201ca brilliant job of running the race.\u201d Rather, the racing analyst believes the event needs to attract more brands, VIPs and buzz in much the same way as it did when he first began attending the events in 1990.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DoesMotorsports expert Matthew Marsh argues that enhancing the current Macau Grand Prix is a better solution for Macao than hosting a costly F1 race \u2013 Photo courtesy of the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee<\/p>\n

\u201cIn those days, it was a much bigger event because of the way the world was at the time,\u201d Marsh recalls, adding that Hong Kong brands such as Cathay Pacific, along with Japanese firms, as well as cigarette and beer companies would generally sponsor cars.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a mega event,\u201d he says. \u201cIt still wasn\u2019t promoted that well, but I thought it was loved by Macao and the people put effort into making it special every year. Whereas I look at it now and I think, there\u2019s so much else going on that is not leveraged enough.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Marsh believes that the organisers could heighten the festive feel of the championship by incorporating non-racing elements such as evening parties, VIP hospitality, music events and celebrity grid walks and pit lane walkabouts for fans on the quieter day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Couto shares a similar view, pointing out that Macao could learn from other street circuit events held in Singapore and Miami, where entertainment events such as concerts are held in conjunction with their races.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[See more: Zero to Macao: Filming Vivian Siu\u2019s 6-month journey to the Macau Grand Prix<\/a>]<\/p>\n

The underpromotion of the Macau Grand Prix is another area that Marsh believes needs to be addressed if the race is to turn into a mega event. Rather than seeing Grand Prix advertising as only promotion for the event per se, the motorsports expert says that the promoters should also treat it as publicity for the city as a whole.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He notes that advertising about the Macau Grand Prix on the Hong Kong MTR, F1 social media platform and other such channels would go a long way to remind people that \u201cMacao exists an hour away by ferry.\u201d At the same time, these Grand Prix promotional efforts would help people think of the SAR \u201cin a cool way,\u201d which would encourage them to visit the territory, even if they don\u2019t necessarily attend the races.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Marsh isn\u2019t necessarily against the idea of F1 in Macao, he ultimately believes that the current Grand Prix would allow the SAR to gain 60 percent of the buzz from an F1 event at just 10 percent of the cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn terms of what I think are realistic ambitions for Macao, or business issues or objectives to solve, the Macau Grand Prix already exists to solve them. It just needs to be leveraged better,\u201d the expert maintains. \u201cIt\u2019s already on the calendar. It\u2019s already loved. It\u2019s already got one of the best racing tracks on the planet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n