BROADENING HORIZONS

F1 has entrenched itself as the Olympics of motor sport and everyone wants a slice of the action. Because of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been removed from the calendar for the foreseeable future, opening the door for a new country to take its place.

There were high hopes it would be SA’s turn. Seventime world champion Lewis Hamilton has regularly campaigned for F1 to come to Africa. “The place that I really feel is dear to my heart is South Africa. I think there is a great following out there and I think it would be great to be able to highlight just how beautiful the motherland is,” the 37-year-old British driver said. “I think it’s important for the sport to go there.”

There was much expectation that the 2023 calendar would find room for the race to return to SA. The last time the SA Grand Prix was held at Kyalami in Midrand was 1993.

Kyalami is the only viable venue in SA – but hopes of having an F1 race here were dashed after negotiations between F1 bosses and Kyalami’s owners broke down.

SA’s loss is Belgium’s gain. It’s even possible a Chinese GP could be on the cards.