Cape Town Earmarked as Future F1 Grand Prix Hosts
Grand Prix fans in South Africa are getting ‘revved up’ up in anticipation of a 1 billion rand (£70 million) race circuit planned for Cape Town.
South African Grand Prix (Pty) Ltd unveiled plans to build the circuit alongside the Cape Town International Airport. CEO Mr. David Gant confirmed that the project already has the support of both municipal and provincial government. However, the estimated 58 hectares of land required have yet to be released.
He added that once the land was made available the company was confident that a viable license application would be presented.
Grant also stated that government would not have to find the funds needed as it would be underwritten by overseas developers.
The course is planned to comprise a 5.7km circuit with a grandstand able to accommodate 17, 500 spectators. Both racing cars and motorcycles would be able to race on the circuit. Adjacent commercial and industrial parks linked to the course are also included in the plans, with job creation a positive spin-off.
Although South Africa hosted F1 Grand Prix events in the past (from the 1960s to the 1990s) financial constraints led to the country being dropped from the F1 calendar.
If the proposed building of the course goes ahead Cape Town will host Africa’s future F1 Grand Prix races – a real coup for the popular city!