It must have been a while since the SCMP had an interesting op-ed. For a decade or more, most of the paper’s opinion pieces have been churned out by one David Dodwell, whose columns are mainly known as a highly effective treatment for insomnia. So we should note a rare piece that contains a bold idea. Unfortunately, it is also stupid.
The basic thesis is: Singapore does x, therefore Hong Kong must do it too. X here being Formula 1 car racing…
For Hong Kong, introducing F1 would not only tap into the massive demand of more than 200 million motorsport fans in mainland China, but it would also drive synergy between the city’s sports and convention industries, further elevating Hong Kong’s brand value on a global stage.
The development of Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis presents a timely opportunity to build an F1 circuit.
If he was really deranged, the author would propose a permanent dedicated race circuit. To his credit, he proposes incorporating a suitable design into the Northern Metropolis street layout. Numerous benefits would follow, such as cultivation of…
…a full spectrum of local professional motorsport talent, including racing drivers, engineers and event promoters. A dedicated racetrack would also support a wide range of automotive‑related commercial activities, helping to stimulate the growth of the local automotive industry and elevate it to international standards.
High-profile international sporting events can significantly enhance a city’s image and global appeal … amplify the economic impact of such mega-events, leveraging its global reach to attract international visitors and business activities … stimulate growth across sectors such as tourism, retail, hospitality and conventions, injecting fresh momentum into Hong Kong’s economy.
In other words, yet another scheme to cram millions more people into an already overcrowded city, in the name of attracting supposedly juicy revenues that – mysteriously – no ordinary residents ever get to see.
I would guess that the author is a fan of Formula 1. Absurd-looking vehicles whizzing round and round. Men in jackets plastered with sponsors’ logos standing around looking important. A weird fixation with changing car wheels very quickly. All the pointlessness of golf, but at 100 miles an hour, and extremely loud. (The one redeeming feature of car-racing is that occasionally there are huge pile-ups in which people get burned alive, which doesn’t happen in golf but probably should.)
The conclusion…
Through forward-thinking planning and cross-sector collaboration, Hong Kong has the potential to transform F1 into a catalyst for its urban branding and industrial transformation, achieving dual gains in economic benefits and global influence.
Sure.
I sympathize with anyone who tries to think up new directions for Hong Kong. One obvious edgy suggestion to give the economy a boost would be to turn the land system on its head. Pushing up land values by keeping homes in short supply generates easy revenue for the government, but represents a self-inflicted wound on the overall economy. Making the city cheaper would at least bolster competitiveness with (say) Shenzhen for existing productive businesses.
Otherwise, Hong Kong’s whole purpose since 1842 has been to host activities that weren’t possible on the mainland. Its success relied on being different from the hinterland – like having dependable rule of law. Even insulated from the mainland. The official line now is that greater integration will bring more opportunities for prosperity. But what if actively erasing the city’s distinctiveness means removing advantages, leaving it with fewer niches, less scope for specialization? That might help explain the endless suggestions for desperate-sounding hubs and zones.
I first understood Dodwell’s work was to be avoided some years ago when in one of his ramblings he stated that the Strait of Hormuz lead to the Suez Canal as the link between between Asia and Europe. He’s the SCMP’s Know Nothing to balance their Know All, Alex Lo.
Without a member of our “lucky sperm club” to run it, F1 is a nonstarter in Hong Kong. There has to be an idle, wealthy grandchild around here somewhere…
Or maybe they could build an F1 track at 11 Skies.
There will never be an F1 race in HKG.
The cityscape, the harbour and the scenery make it an ideal location for a street circuit – but where realistically could you build such a circuit in the City; outside the city, and it would just be another circuit in a continent with plenty of cheaper and easier places to build one. And a circuit would be used how often for what else?
I know of a company that was trying to put together an event in the harbour but gave up on the idea because working with the various HKG departments was too much of a nightmare
Surely F1 wouldn’t have ANY of the economic pitfalls of an olympics where cities are strong armed into spending gazillions on a venue AND giving up X amount of revenues to the FIA for the privilege of sending taxpayer monies to a handful of richie riches, many of which are petro oligarchs?
Just think of the windfall…one day Hong Kong might produce its own homegrown Max Verstappen to brag about, just like Macau has through their lesser formula Grand Prixs! The global influence Hong Kong will wield through this is awe inspiring!
Win-win-win-win!!
No need for F1 la. We already have Route Twisk and Replulse Bay Road. Just instal some grandstands along the way.
Years ago I used to house sit for friends in a block near the American Int School when the family took off for the hols and resorted to sleeping in the maid’s room as the four family bedrooms were too noisy,
Dudwell is a textbook empty suit. Every article he writes just stinks and he always gets it wrong. What does this clown do for a living?