F1 Madness

Tag: south africa

  • F1 2019: Dutch Gp Confirmed for 2020

    F1 2019: Dutch Gp Confirmed for 2020

    It has been confirmed that the Dutch grand prix will make a return to the Formula 1 calendar for the first time in 35 years.

    While Heineken has been confirmed as the title sponsor for the race the return of the Zaandvoort circuit undoubtedly coincides with Max Verstappen’s meteoric rise to super-stardom within the world’s premier racing series.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEC1lYtXEJQ

    Though a Dutch grand prix and the Zaandvoort circuit is not a new venue to F1 it can certainly be counted as ‘new’ in the modern era of the sport. This marks the second ‘new’ addition to the 2020 calendar following the announcement of a first ever grand prix in Vietnam. The Vietnamese grand prix is slated to be held on a street circuit in the capital city of Hanoi.

    Several additional races are rumoured to be in the sights of Liberty Media for addition to the calendar in the next couple of years. Including a second race in the USA is it believed that the F1 commercial right’s holders are also eyeing a return to South Africa and the famed Kyalami circuit.

     

  • Ecclestone On Formula 1 In South Africa

    Ecclestone On Formula 1 In South Africa

    Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has told Eyewitness News Sport exclusively that South Africa’s chances of hosting an F1 race in the next few years is slim.

    In an exclusive interview with EWN’s Jean Smythe Ecclestone confirmed that he would love to bring Formula 1 back to South Africa for the first time since 1993. As the chief executive of the Formula One Group, which controls the commercial rights of the sport, Ecclestone confirmed that the only obstacle in South Africa’s way is the absence of a legitimate proposal.

    “I think it’s really a case of someone getting behind this and saying, ‘we’re going to make it happen’ because unless somebody does that it will just bumble on like it is with a lot of interest, and when it really comes down to it nobody is really making the effort to do anything,” Ecclestone told EWN Sport.

    Ecclestone confirmed that he had no meeting scheduled with any group from South Africa but confirmed that should a genuine proposal be brought before him he would agree to a five-year deal. A grand prix around the streets of Cape Town seemed to be the best concept according to the 84-year-old.

    “If somebody sits in front of me today, with a pen, and wants to sign a contract there can be a race next year.”

    You can listen to EWN’s Jean Smyth’s complete interview with Bernie Ecclestone here:

     

  • Formula 1 Coming To Nelson Mandela Bay

    Formula 1 Coming To Nelson Mandela Bay

    South Africa is taking its first decisive step towards bringing Formula 1 back to its shores with an International Motorsport Show in Nelson Mandela Bay this December.

    The event has been three years in the making and marks a vital step in South Africa’s renewed position in the world of motorsport.

    The Mzansi International Motorsport Show will run from the 10th – 13th of December and include three days of motorsport extravaganza. Several races have been planned around a 1.6 km loop of Marine Drive in Summerstrand. The races will feature supertrucks, karts, exotic tuners, the V8 series and for a bit of South African flavour a taxi race has also been planned. However, what is sure to be the piece de resistance is the Formula 1 exhibition race which will feature two Lotus-Mercedes cars and four South African built F1 cars.

    The event is expected to create nearly 3000 annual job opportunities and serve as an important boost to the region’s tourism sector. Ticket prices will range from R150 to R350 with expected attendance of 20 000 spectators per day.

    The international launch of the Mzansi Motorsport Show will take place in March in Australia which will also mark the official start of the 2015 Formula 1 season.