Track owner’s greed derailed South African GP’s F1 return: Jody Scheckter

Former F1 Champion Jody Scheckter reveals why South Africa lost its chance to host a Grand Prix in 2023.

Track owner’s greed derailed South African GP’s F1 return: Jody Scheckter

Jody Scheckter (Credits: Autoweek)

Former Formula One world champion Jody Scheckter recently disclosed that South Africa was on the verge of gaining a spot on the 2023 F1 calendar when the agreement fell through owing to increasing prices. According to Scheckter, his nephew had been working for six years to bring the race back to South Africa and had even won government funding and the support of affluent individuals in the nation. 

“My nephew has been working on it for six years, we had government backing and the support of some of the wealthiest people in South Africa. Everything was in place, but the guy from Kyalami, the proposed host circuit, increased the fee from 500,000 to 2 million and demanded to take over the whole event, leading to the breakdown of the deal.” He said

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Scheckter’s nephew was distraught when his attempts to bring the Grand Prix back to South Africa were unsuccessful. Because he was unable to secure the race, he must now begin the process of re-engaging sponsors for 2024. Warren Scheckter had worked relentlessly for six years to get the necessary funding for the event.

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One World Champion, has stated that reintroducing the South African Grand Prix would be a huge step forward regarding diversity in the sport. “Having a race in Africa is really important. It’s a continent that has such a rich culture and history, and to be able to bring the sport there would be amazing,” Hamilton said. The British driver has advocated for diversity in the sport and has often spoken out against racism and discrimination.

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The Desire for racing is still there

Kyalami GP circuit
Kyalami GP circuit (Credits: Kyalami GP Circuit. com)

South Africa has a long and rich history in motorsports, with some of the sport’s biggest stars racing in its country. Famous drivers who have participated in South Africa include Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna, and Michael Schumacher. Despite not hosting a race in over 30 years, the country’s enthusiasm for Formula One remains high.

There is a strong desire for an African Grand Prix. Africa is the only continent that does not currently host a Formula One race. A race in Africa would be a significant step forward for the sport regarding diversity and inclusivity. It would also provide local talent a chance to demonstrate their abilities on a global scale.

Formula One has received substantial money from mid-west Asian governments such as Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia to hold races in their respective countries. Several opponents have expressed worry that this represents a shift away from the sport’s historic principles. But, given the popularity of street circuits, a South African Grand Prix might potentially happen in the near future, assuming finance can be acquired.

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