The South African government has extended a crucial deadline for promoters to lodge interest in holding a Formula 1 grand prix.
F1 is keen to return to Africa, with the last grand prix on the continent being the 1993 South African GP at Kyalami, with Lewis Hamilton indicating that he will not retire until F1 does return.
Kyalami currently holds FIA Grade 2 status and would need to be upgraded to Grade 1 to host a grand prix, with a street race in Cape Town also proposed as a potential venue. Rwanda has also signalled its interest in bringing F1 back to the African continent.
South Africa appears the most likely host nation, with minister of sports Gayton McKenzie extending a deadline for interested promoters to March 18 2025 from the initial deadline of January 31.
"The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Bid Steering Committee (BSC), has extended the submission deadline for the Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) for South Africa’s Formula 1 Grand Prix bid to 18 March 2025," read a statement.
"This extension aims to give stakeholders additional time to submit comprehensive, well-structured proposals in line with RFEOI [Request for Expression of Interest] requirements.
"The Ministry is committed to a transparent and competitive process to secure this prestigious motorsport event.
"The Ministry urges stakeholders to use this opportunity to support South Africa’s Formula 1 ambitions."
There is currently one slot open on the F1 calendar for 2027 with the Dutch Grand Prix dropping off after 2026, and with the Belgian GP set to embark on a bi-annual rotation policy from 2027. It will miss the 2028 and 2030 races.
The futures of other European venues such as Imola and Barcelona also remain uncertain, with interest in holding grands prix at an all-time high, including from Argentina after the arrival of Franco Colapinto arrival in late 2024 with Williams.
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