F1’s return to Africa may not be at Kyalami – Domenicali (3rd Update)

RacingNews365.com Editorial Director Dieter Rencken says that although South Africa failed to make the 2023 calendar after a promoter proved unable to issue guarantees to Kyalami and F1, now the word is that another promoter (see original rumor below –  Bobby Hartslief) has joined forces with a Miami entertainment company to stage a Grand Prix, and that they have held talks with F1.

Well-placed sources told RacingNews365.com a 31 March deadline has been imposed, after which no leeway will be granted.

Facts have begun to emerge about a Soweto SA Grand Prix bid. SA entrepreneur Bobby Hartslief, the man responsible for saving the SA Formula One Grand Prix in the early 1980s, has confirmed he is instructed to put together a bid for a new SA Grand Prix.

The event is proposed on a new street circuit to be constructed at the Nasrec showgrounds adjacent to Soweto, south of Johannesburg.

“Yes, I have been approached to offer advice and comment on the concept of a Soweto SA Formula One Grand Prix at the Nasrec showgrounds,” Hartslief confirmed on Friday. “A group of influential businesspeople contacted me some years ago with the concept of a huge event, one substantially greater than just three days of practice and qualifying culminating in a two-hour Formula One race.

“A Soweto SA Grand Prix at the Nasrec showgrounds ticks all the right boxes. Nasrec is an international standard exhibition center with all necessary amenities and more already in place. Nasrec is next door to the soul of the country and the symbol of African liberty in Soweto.”

“The adjacent FNB Stadium successfully hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup soccer finals and easily caters for 94,000 people. All necessary planning and infrastructure to host a Soweto SA Grand Prix has been considered.

“That will cost money. Considering the challenges faced by government at every turn, it would be remiss to expect any surplus state cash to be handed out to fund a F1 Grand Prix. The group that has approached us, however, believes they can raise the funds to float a more than just Soweto SA Grand Prix,” added Hartslief.

Their concept is for a major event, an epic mega prix the proportions and magnitude of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

“SA continues to face its challenges. A Soweto SA Grand Prix for the people, by the people, will not only bring international recognition and exposure but will also be a significant morale booster for the country and provide tens of thousands of much needed jobs for our unemployed youth.

“Do I think a Soweto SA Grand Prix can happen around the Johannesburg Nasrec showgrounds? Unequivocally yes. We will reveal more of our plans when our principals speak for themselves in due course.”

A temporary street circuit in Johannesburg is now rumored if a race in South Africa is ever to happen.

Kyalami, which could not come up with enough money to pay for the race, and its track has no place for F1 car to pass easily.

(GMM) Africa’s return to the Formula 1 calendar is not dead in the water, according to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

A deal for Kyalami, having last hosted a grand prix in 1993, was considered by insiders to be almost a dead certainty for 2023.

Ultimately, the deal fell through, reportedly for financial reasons.

“The reason is that the F1-appointed local promoter was unable to deliver on the financial guarantees,” Anton Roux, president of Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and a member of the FIA Senate, told News24 last week.

“We now need to replace the local promoter, but I am very confident that we’ll be on the 2024 calendar.”

Domenicali is also hopeful, but he is leaving the door open for another African venue other than Kyalami.

“It’s a very clear goal,” he told Sky Italia on the sidelines of the Singapore GP when asked about organizing a race on the African continent.

“Africa will come back and hopefully be on our calendar very soon.”

New rumors suggest that Domenicali is actually aiming for an African GP next year.

“We just have to make sure that when we do something new, we do it with the right partners and have a stable foundation to stay longer,” said the Italian.

“It would be wrong to go there for a year and then disappear if the conditions are not right. It’s not only about having the right financial means, but also preparing the place for the weekend we want to host there.

“The only thing I can say after the first contact with Kyalami is that there are other places in Africa that are interested in Formula 1 as well,” Domenicali insisted.