Efforts to bring back the South African F1 Grand Prix at Kyalami have hit a roadblock, as recent reports suggest that political reasons, specifically South Africa’s close ties with Russia, have led to the abandonment of the bid.
Was South Africa dropped from hosting F1?
As reported by Racing News 365, the potential return of the race, which has been discussed extensively in recent years, now appears unlikely.
Initial discussions between Formula 1 and former promoter Warren Scheckter fell through due to financial disagreements surrounding the deal.
However, hopes were revived when a new promoter, 777, an established sports investment company based in Miami, Florida, and led by Adam Brown, expressed interest in promoting the race.
This sparked optimism, especially with the backing of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who advocated for F1’s return to Africa.
Unfortunately, recent developments indicate that plans for a South African Grand Prix in the near future have been abandoned due to political considerations.
Sources reveal that South Africa’s close alignment with Russia played a significant role in this decision.
The aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year and the ongoing conflict led to F1 swiftly removing the Russian Grand Prix from the calendar.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) also imposed a ban on Russian and Belarussian participation without signing a neutrality agreement.
South Africa’s political stance and its association with President Vladimir Putin‘s regime have unexpectedly become a stumbling block, despite the progress made in finalising terms between 777 and Formula 1.
While a venue rental agreement was reportedly in place, the formal signature required to solidify the deal was never provided.
South Africa political ties to Russia end Grand Prix hopes
South Africa’s position within the BRICS association, which includes Russia, Brazil, China, and India, has hindered the denouncement of Russia’s actions and the ongoing war.
In the past year, tensions have escalated, with the United States accusing South Africa of supplying arms to Russia and supporting their war efforts.
These factors have made hosting a South African Grand Prix untenable for the foreseeable future, providing a reprieve for the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
As of now, Formula 1 has refrained from commenting on these rumours. The decision not to proceed with the South African Grand Prix bid due to political reasons highlights the complex dynamics between sports and geopolitical factors.
The hopes of racing enthusiasts and the aspirations of bringing the pinnacle of motorsport back to South African soil have been dampened, leaving fans to wait for further developments in the future.