What would it take to have F1 in the Philippines?
The glamor and excitement of Formula One (F1) remains hard to beat.
From intense action on the grid to headline-grabbing drama off the grid, this pinnacle of motorsport has become a media spectacle that attracts even non-racing enthusiasts. And the Grand Prix events this year in Australia, China, Japan, Bahrain and Singapore prove that the Asia-Pacific region can match the capabilities of Europe and the United States.
But would there ever be an event as big as F1 in the Philippines? Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem thinks so.
“We have certain numbers and the commercial side of it is important – with sustainability of the business and the government, everything is possible,” he said in an exclusive interview with Inquirer Mobility at the sidelines of the 2026 FIA Asia-Pacific Congress last Sept. 29 to Oct.1 in Boracay.
“If the government are serious and they put forward a good project plan, including the financial side of it, I can’t see why we can’t find a place in the F1 calendar,” Sulayem added. “It’s not about us. It’s about the Philippines – is it needed for the Philippines? Is it worth it? Is it cost-effective?”
Other needs
Sulayem noted that besides having the right investment and infrastructure, the Philippines must answer other important questions before it could be part of something as big as F1.
“Do you have manufacturers? Do you have parts assembly?” he said. “From there, you submit a proposal and then we look at it in the FIA. But the collective decision will be in the triangle – the FIA, the government and the promoter.”
Sulayem emphasized sustainability in this kind of project, saying that a one-year or two-year contract may not be attractive to potential investors.
History of rally
However, Sulayem said another popular motorsport may be more feasible on our shores.
“What’s the racing history of the Philippines? Rally,” he said. “In Formula One, even if you have a street race, you will still have to have the infrastructure, which includes making and removing barriers like in Las Vegas or Miami or Azerbaijan. But rallying, you have good terrain here.”
Sulayem noted that major changes are coming to the World Rally Championship (WRC), especially with the top-rank Rally1.
“Rally1 was costing 1.2 million Euros (around P84 million),” he said. “Now, it’s 360,000 Euros (around P25 million) maximum and we are targeting 30 million Euros (around P2.1 billion) a year for a three-car team for the top manufacturers. But then, this gives Rally2 the ability to also be competitive when they go into bigger rallies.”
Accessible motorsport
The changes in the WRC are part of a broad initiative by Sulayem’s administration to lower the cost of racing across all levels.
“In Formula One, we are targeting an engine that will be 50 percent lower in cost and will be much lighter, which means it’s safer, and will have a better sound, which is for the spectators,” Sulayem said. “We are also going to get a single supplier for sustainable fuel to make it cheaper.”
Sulayem added that this same system will be implemented in Formula 2 and Formula 3. He also said he is pushing for greater accessibility in karting, which he had previously criticized for its ballooning costs.
“When I asked what was the most expensive part, they said the chassis,” he said. “So, I said, ‘build your own chassis.’ And when you have the blueprint, it is the country’s National Sporting Authority that controls the cost themselves. Karting will also have a single supplier of tires and for the engine, there may be just one unit for the Senior and one unit for the Junior.”
Finally, Sulayem lauded the progress of the Cross Car grassroots rally program in the Asia-Pacific region. A Cross Car from the Automobile Association of the Philippines, which was built in collaboration with Debest Autofix, was on display at the Congress.
“I was very impressed and happy to see the Cross Car is only 8,000 Euros (around P560,000),” he said. “It sends a very clear message – the Philippines is able to do it, Thailand is able to do it, Indonesia is able to do it. I promised that I would bring the price of the grassroots down and we did it.”
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