Why F1 is not coming to South Africa any time soon

It seems that the much-anticipated return of F1 to South Africa and in particular to Kyalami has been put on ice for the immediate future.

It has been rumoured that Kyalami ownership have made it impossible for a Grand Prix return to South Africa with their demands.

Earlier this year, South Africa’s only Formula 1 world champion Jody Scheckter has slammed the owners of Kyalami whom he blames for blowing a chance to see the sport the Grand Prix return.

However, Cape Town’s successful staging of an FIA E-Prix might open the door for a street race in South Africa’s best city.

South African Grand Prix was torpedoed by greed says former world champ

Scheckter says that the deal was just about done to bring F1 back to Kyalami but last-minute demands by the owners of Kyalami angered the sport’s bosses and saw government support for the bid evaporate.

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The former elite series champion had been close to the process thanks to the involvement of his nephew.

A frustrated Scheckter shared that it was greed that saw South Africa lose out on the return of Grand Prix racing.

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“I was an inside part of it,” Scheckter told Total Motorsport.com. 

”My nephew worked on it for six years.

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“It was that close. The guy from Kyalami went from 500,000 to 2 million, and he wanted to take the whole thing over.

“F1 came over to sign. He had got government backing, some of the wealthiest people in South Africa behind it. Everything was in place, and the guy from Kyalami got greedy.

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“Just as soon as F1 left, he changed the whole thing completely. The government realised there was a fight [going on] and withdrew, and that was the end. 

“Maybe it’ll happen back here again. I don’t know.”

Up in smoke

Scheckter said that his nephew Warren was left with nothing to show for his efforts.

“My nephew had been working on it for six years, nearly full time,” explained Scheckter. 

“Because going [through the] government and getting [their support] and for them all to agree to put some budget in and then to secure the money. It takes a massive amount [of effort].

“All of a sudden, it was over, and he was left with nothing.”

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