Hong Kong interested in hosting Grand Prix

Hong Kong's motorsport president, Wesley Wan: 'If Monte Carlo and Singapore can have it, why can't Hong Kong?' (AP)

Hong Kong has become the latest high-profile venue to express an interest in staging a Formula One grand prix.

The city's motorsport president, Wesley Wan, was left stunned when a crowd of 43,000 lined the streets to watch a demonstration event on Saturday involving Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari.

Wan is hoping such interest from the public could result in Hong Kong staging a race in the near future.

"This was the first step in gaining the support of the people," Wan told the South China Morning Post.

"We wanted to raise the exposure of Formula One by staging the live show, and I hope it will lead to Hong Kong hosting a grand prix race one day.

"My dream is that Hong Kong, like Singapore, Malaysia and China, will be a stop on the grand prix circuit."

Although there are currently three street circuit venues on the F1 calendar, Wan added: "If Monte Carlo and Singapore can have it, why can't Hong Kong?"