Uzbekistan has taken a noticeable step toward top-tier motorsport: the ambition to host a Formula 1-level race has moved beyond an abstract dream and entered the official agenda at the highest level. In Tashkent, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem — and, judging by the statements released, the conversation was not about a one-off "showpiece" event, but about a strategy that could integrate the country into the global racing ecosystem.
Top-Level Talks: From an Idea to a Road Map
According to the press service, the discussions covered the prospect of staging Grand Prix series rounds in the country and, more importantly, the conditions without which such a project would be impossible. Formula 1 is not only spectacle and packed grandstands; it also requires years of preparation — legal, organizational, technological, and infrastructural. That is why the tone of the talks became the key indicator: substantive and oriented toward the "long game."
Not Just One Race Weekend, but a Full System: A Bet on Motorsport Development
The focus shifted toward a comprehensive model: from grassroots karting as a first step for children and teenagers to professional categories with formula-style cars and a fully built-out sporting pipeline. This approach echoes how established motorsport nations build a "pit lane" of talent: they create academies, feeder series, and regional competitions, and then bring the best prospects onto the international stage.
People Make the Difference: Drivers, Engineers, and Racing Expertise
A separate layer is human capital. Even a perfect circuit will not function without people who can deliver top-category events: engineers, marshals, technical scrutineers, safety specialists, and, of course, drivers. In this context, the possibility of leveraging the FIA University’s educational resources was discussed — meaning not "learning on the fly," but acquiring standardized methods and competencies that meet international requirements.
A Clear Signal From the FIA: Youth Focus and Global Standards
Speaking to journalists from Oʻzbekiston 24, Mohammed ben Sulayem confirmed the seriousness of the federation’s intentions. According to him, the initiatives under discussion are designed to attract a younger audience and will not be limited to a purely local scale. The FIA President emphasized that the organization aims to bring competitions to the country that meet the strictest international standards — including, first and foremost, rounds of the "Royal Racing" series.
Safety Beyond the Circuit: Why Road Programs Are Also on the Agenda
Formula 1 has long been a showcase of safety technology — from monocoque strength to barriers and operational procedures. It is therefore unsurprising that the parties also addressed road safety more broadly: for the FIA, this is a charter priority that extends far beyond race weekends. For the host country, such programs can become an additional argument for cooperation and deliver a tangible public benefit.
For Now, Behind the Scenes: The Circuit, the Timeline, and the Contracts
Uzbekistan’s National Autosport and Karting Federation, an FIA member since 2019, is for the moment refraining from disclosing potential locations for future tracks or specific timeframes for signing contracts. The logic is clear: before anything becomes concrete, there must be assessments, technical and economic feasibility work, a concept choice (a street circuit or a permanent race track), and negotiations over commercial terms — which in Formula 1 always play a decisive role.
Grade 1 Economics and Engineering: The Price of Entry Into the Elite
The toughest filter on the road to Formula 1 is the FIA Grade 1 requirement. A circuit of this level is a highly complex engineering project: from track profile and safety zones to paddock infrastructure, a medical center, communications systems, logistics, and grandstands. Costs are typically measured in hundreds of millions of dollars, while the track surface is laid using technologies designed for extreme loads and speeds above 300 km/h: consistent grip, minimal vibration, flawless geometry, predictable tire behavior, and stable aerodynamic performance.
Asia’s Formula: A Chance for Image and Sports Tourism
If Uzbekistan truly takes this project to the finish line, it would be an unprecedented step for boosting sports tourism and strengthening the country’s international profile. In Asia, Formula 1 rounds have long served as a national showcase — from Bahrain and the UAE to Singapore — combining racing, infrastructure, hospitality, and global attention. For Tashkent, it is a chance to join the league where each Grand Prix is not just a sporting event, but a global media product.
A Turn Toward Full Speed: What the Coming Months Could Show
For now, this is the starting grid rather than the green light. Yet the very fact of substantive talks with the FIA President suggests that Uzbekistan is viewing Formula 1 as a project of national scale — with a focus on infrastructure, education, and the systemic development of motorsport. Everything will come down to details: the circuit model, funding sources, compliance with Grade 1 requirements, and the ability to build a long-term commercial formula that satisfies both the country and the championship. If the puzzle comes together, a new point may appear on the map of "Royal Racing" — and that would be a move the entire paddock will hear.
