F1 to face 'bid it can't refuse' South African GP return deal

South Africa's sports minister Gayton McKenzie has issued an update on the country's push to bring F1 back to the country.

The nation has been attempting to strike a deal with the sport, having last held a grand prix in 1993.

F1 itself has voiced its desire to have an African race on the calendar, but South Africa is facing competition from Morocco and Rwanda.

Amid the sport's boom in popularity, various other locations around the world have voiced their desire to have a spot on F1's schedule.

As South Africa continues to plead its case, McKenzie conceded a 2027 race won't be possible.

 “Next year, definitely not,” he told ENCA. “We have underestimated what is required to host an F1 event.”

F1 has already started the implementation of a rotational calendar going forward, with the fan favourite Belgian Grand Prix switching to a race every two years from 2027.

As South Africa bids to become the next team to get a deal over the line, McKenzie asserted it is compiling an offer that will be too good to turn down. 

“But F1 has held our hand,” he said. 

“But now we’ve got the experts and are putting together a bid they can’t refuse.”