P1racenews AI automatic summary:
South Africa is keen to host a grand prix in the future, with Rwanda also keen to bring F1 back to Africa after over 30 years away.
The South African government has extended the deadline for Formula 1 promoters to express interest in hosting a grand prix, aiming to bring F1 back to Africa after a long hiatus since the 1993 South African GP. Lewis Hamilton has stated he will not retire until F1 returns to the continent. South Africa’s Kyalami circuit, currently FIA Grade 2, would need upgrading to Grade 1 to host F1, while a street race in Cape Town is also under consideration. Rwanda has also shown interest in hosting an F1 race on the African continent. South Africa, led by Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, seems the most probable host nation with the extended deadline for promoter interest set to March 18, 2025. The Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture, along with the Bid Steering Committee, has extended the submission deadline to allow stakeholders more time to put forward thorough proposals, vowing a transparent and competitive selection process to secure the prestigious motorsport event. As European venues face uncertain futures and potential rotation policies, opportunities to join the F1 calendar are opening up, with heightened interest worldwide, including from Argentina post-Franco Colapinto’s arrival in late 2024.
