Formula One legend hits Hanoi streets

The Aston Martin Red Bull car hits the streets of Hanoi on the night of April 20 (Photo: VNA)

Coulthard has won 13 races and stood on the podium 62 times.

In 12 months time, the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel will be behind the wheel battling it out for pole position.

This is a great opportunity for Hanoi and Vietnam to promote its image, attract investment and tourism, said Nguyen The Hung, Deputy Chairman of Hanoi’s People's Committee.

At the Saturday's launch event, fans had also a chance to experience F1 for themselves thanks to virtual motor racing provided by the ADT Group.

Preparations for the race have been well underway in the capital city since it was chosen to host the race. It will be held near the My Dinh National Stadium around a 22 corner street track. 

Fans can buy tickets at www.f1vietnamgp.com.

The Formula One (F1) Hanoi Grand Prix race track surrounding My Dinh Sports Complex will be more than 5.5 km in length, with 22 turns. It will stretch over part of the My Dinh Sports Complex, while one section will be part of the public road.

Earlier, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung approved a plan on the building of the F1 Hanoi Grand Prix circuit. Covering an area of more than 88 ha, the track will run through the wards of My Dinh 1, My Dinh 2, Me Tri, and Phu Do of Nam Tu Liem district.

The F1 Hanoi Grand Prix is set to take place in the summer of 2020. 

Vietnam will be the third Southeast Asian country to host a F1 race, after Malaysia and Singapore.