A Grand Prix in Hanoi will be added to the Formula One calendar in 2020 as part of the sport’s expansion in Asia.

F1 chair Chase Carey and Nguyen Duc Chung, the Mayor of Hanoi, made the announcement today and it becomes the first new addition to the calendar in the post-Bernie Ecclestone era.

Earlier this year, F1’s owners’ Liberty Media were forced to put plans for a race in Miami on hold after opposition from local groups.

While there are just two of this year’s record-equalling 21 races remaining, the announcement, coupled with a potential Miami race in 2020, could now see that tally increase to 23, despite resistance from some teams.

The inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix, pencilled in for April 2020, will take place over a 3.46-mile track on a combination of existing and newly built roads.

“We are delighted to announce that Hanoi will host a Formula One Grand Prix,” Carey said.

“Since we became involved in this sport in 2017, we have talked about developing new destination cities to broaden the appeal of Formula One and the Vietnamese Grand Prix is a realisation of that ambition.

“We are thrilled to be here in Hanoi, one of the most exciting cities in the world right now, with such a rich history and an incredible future ahead of it.

“This is the perfect formula for Grand Prix racing and I look forward to this becoming a real highlight of the F1 calendar.”

Alongside Singapore, Japan and China, the Vietnamese race will be the fourth staged in Asia.

“The race track in Hanoi is unique in the world, with half of it being on existing streets and the other half to be built,” Chung said. “The length and turns of this track will bring a lot of excitement. According to designers, it will be the most exciting track in the world.”

Chung said the GP would be funded by private enterprise headed by Vingroup, the country’s largest private conglomerate.

“Hosting Formula 1 races in Hanoi will open us many opportunities for business, tourist development [and] advertise the image of Vietnam and image of Hanoi to the world,” Chung added.

“And at the same time create new a playing ground and experiences for people of all walks of life.”