The South African government has extended the deadline to submit host bids for a Formula 1 grand prix in the country. After a bid to revive the South African race at Kyalami fell through in , the government continued efforts to end the year hiatus of grand prix racing in the African country. As previously reported , the country's ministry of sport, arts and culture commissioned a so-called Bid Steering Committee to invite bids from potential promoters and host organisers for the race.
Kyalami, which last hosted the race in , is one frontrunner, pending ongoing work to elevate the circuit to the required FIA Grade 1 standard. A purpose-built circuit on the city outskirts is another option. The original bid request was published on 17 January with a deadline of 31 January, but the ministry has now extended that deadline to 18 March to give hopeful bidders more time to put together and file an expression of interest. Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool. The Ministry is committed to a transparent and competitive process to secure this prestigious motorsport event.
The end of January was not the only ambitious deadline mentioned in the page request, with the document referring to a return of the race by for F1's calendar is already full, with Mexico expecting to beat Imola to the last available slot. Hosting a race by will equally be an aggressive target. Nevertheless, sports minister Gayton McKenzie continued his vocal campaign to bring F1 back, having met with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali for exploratory talks in Baku last year, which prompted him to claim the race "is going to happen".
McKenzie has now said: "Hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix would boost our economy, tourism and development while showcasing South Africa as a premier global sporting destination. This extension ensures bidders have the time to prepare exceptional proposals. Other long-term candidates for a race include Rwanda, which formally launched its bid to host a race in its capital Kigali on a circuit currently being designed by Alex Wurz.
F1 is also keen on expanding into Asia with Thailand and South Korea still considered the most serious contenders. South Africa extends deadline for F1 host bids. Story by Filip Cleeren.
