P1racenews AI automatic summary:
South Africa has ramped up its bid to bring Formula 1 back to its shores with the government opening up an expression of interest process for potential hosts.
The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture’s Formula 1 Bid Steering Committee has released a document to initiate the process for potential promoters and venues to bid for hosting the South African Grand Prix. Their goal is to bring Formula 1 back to South Africa by either 2026 or 2027 for a decade-long period. With the last F1 race in South Africa held at Kyalami circuit in 1993, the committee is seeking a suitable promoter, venue, and host city for the bid submission to the FIA and Formula 1. Interested parties have until January 31 to submit their bids, and a shortlist of candidates will be chosen shortly after. The document outlines specific criteria, including an iconic destination location near a major city, capable of accommodating a large crowd and staff, with easy accessibility by transportation, and a track conducive to exciting racing with overtaking opportunities. South Africa’s bid to bring back F1 aligns with Rwanda’s bid, aiming to increase F1’s presence in Africa through collaboration rather than competition, as expressed by the South African Sports Minister.
