South Africa loses F1 hosting bid over ‘friendship with Russia’

MOTORSPORTS South Africa loses F1 hosting bid over ‘friendship with Russia’

Joel Omotto 16:32 - 06.06.2023

The South African Grand Prix was reportedly set to take place in 2024 but the plans have been abandoned for political reasons.

South Africa has reportedly lost its bid to host a Formula One race in the near future, allegedly due to its political alignment with Russia.

Plans to return the Kyalami Circuit to the F1 fold for the first time in 30 years gained momentum recently after seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton said he would like to race in South Africa with Africa the only continent not to have a race on the race’s schedule.

South Africa media reported last year that the country had lost the bid to host a race in 2023 when talks between F1 and promoter Warren Scheckter broke down over financial details. 

The focus shifted to staging a South African Grand Prix in 2024 with 777, a sports investment company based in Miami, reportedly taking over the promotion of the event.

However, according to South African outlet Times Live, a decision has been made to abandon plans for a South African GP in the near future due to the country’s political association with Russia.

“According to sources, the decision was taken because South Africa has aligned closely with Russia,” Times Live quoted racingnews365 saying.

“F1 would not comment on the rumours, but the decision will likely provide Spa-Francorchamps a reprieve and see the Belgian Grand Prix remain on the calendar for at least another year.”

South Africa, part of the BRICS association of emerging economies with Brazil, Russia, India, and China has failed to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The country also faces a diplomatic dilemma when it hosts the BRICS summit in August, with the government expected to provide diplomatic immunity to Russian President Vladimir Putin despite the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for him.

South Africa last hosted a F1 race at Kyalami in 1993, won by Alain Prost in a Williams-Renault.

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