Hanoi track works completed ahead of inaugural Vietnam GP

Vietnam GP organisers say that work on the Hanoi track has been completed ahead of the first Formula 1 race at the venue on April 5

They also issued new images of the finished circuit - but made no reference to the possible impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the race.

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The last 150m section of the track, along the pit straight, was laid last week. With all the permanent buildings now completed, the focus has now turned to on finishing temporary facilities such as grandstands, team hospitality units as well as the medical and media centres.

"This is a major milestone for us to celebrate as we come closer to staging Vietnam's first ever F1 race weekend in just over a month's time," said the event's CEO Le Ngoc Chi.

"With the help of everyone at Tilke and F1's motorsport division, we feel confident in saying that this track will be one of the most challenging and exciting on the F1 calendar and we look forward to it quickly becoming a fan favourite."

Race organisers say they sourced materials for the track surface within Vietnam, noting that "the original surface sample had already been sent to laboratories in Singapore and Germany to undergo thorough testing to ensure it met all FIA requirements prior to the start of the track laying process."

Inevitably question marks hang over the race due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the region, which has caused the postponement and possible cancellation of the Chinese GP.

On Tuesday a major international Badminton event due to take place in the country a week before the Grand Prix was postponed to June.