Ecclestone wants to bring F1 back to South Africa

Bernie Ecclestone, according to the local South African press, would be intent on bringing Formula One back to the country which hosted a Grand Prix for the first time in 1934.

“I hope a decision can be made on this matter once our lawyers have had a thorough look at everything… Within the next few weeks,” Eyewitness News reported.

However, Ecclestone's plans have two considerable obstacles: a lack of funding and resistance from the national organisation.

The organizing team for the South African Grand Prix in Cape Town have confirmed they are in discussions with Formula One's boss, but given the huge funding demands, it is essential that the government backs the project.

“The annual license we have to pay to Formula One is 40 million dollars. Capital for infrastructure? It could be $15 million. And then you need the capital for the work” according to Esther Henderson, communications manager.

“We have those who want to invest, but it is a paradoxical situation, because to give investors confidence that all this can be done, we need the support of the national government” he added.

The support requested from the government seems unlikely, given that Motorsport South Africa has stipulated that they will only give the project the green light when specific requests are met.

“F1 has little support where it is not represented,” said the MSA president George Nyabadza.

“When we display our rainbow flag there will be national interest and unity. The MSA's position is that we will support this event in South Africa if there are concrete benefits in developing the sport here, and the MSA would take care of it,” he added.

Alessandra Leoni