Fans cheer as Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen races past. Photo by Jim Watson/AFP
SA’s links to Russia set to cost them Formula 1 GP – report
South Africa’s recently reported ‘political alignment’ with Russia has reportedly dashed any hopes of being added to the Formula 1 calendar.
Fans cheer as Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen races past. Photo by Jim Watson/AFP
Last year, it already seemed that reports of a historic Formula 1 return to South Africa may have been somewhat premature.
It came after Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali had got a few engines revving in Mzansi after he told Sky Sports that South Africa is being lined-up as a potential new venue on an extended race calendar, while superstar Lewis Hamilton has repeatedly endorsed such a plan.
South Africa hasn’t hosted a Formula 1 grand prix since 1993, an incredible 29 years ago this season.
However, according to racingnews365, plans to add South Africa to the F1 calendar in the near future have been scuppered.
“According to sources, the decision was taken because South Africa has aligned closely with Russia,” said racingnews365.
“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.”
Previously there were reports that Formula 1 and DHL were close to signing a five-year contract.
Yet, DHL moved to suggest that this was not the case.
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Interest in Formula One has skyrocketed recently and the increased demand among audiences may force organisers to put more dates in the diary for upcoming seasons.
A street venue in Las Vegas has already been confirmed as a new venue, while more races in China have been touted.
Furthermore, the Kyalami circuit in Johannesburg remains the obvious choice as South Africa’s track circuit.
Watch below as Hamilton calls for South Africa to be added to the Formula 1 calendar:
The 1993 South African Grand Prix was held at Kyalami on 14 March 1993. It was the 33rd South African Grand Prix – and remains the most recent to have been staged on the African continent.
It was the first race of the 1993 F1 season and was contested over 72 laps.
The race was won from pole position by French legend Alain Prost driving a Williams-Renault.
Prost’s great rival, Brazilian Ayrton Senna, finished second in a McLaren-Ford, with Great Britain’s Mark Blundell in a Ligier-Renault rounding out the podium.
Incredibly, of the 26 starters, only five finished the race, although seven were classified.
Runner-up Senna was the only driver that winner Prost did not lap – surely an all-time Formula One record!
