President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to attend a Formula One Grand Prix later this year as part of efforts to bring Formula One back to South Africa.
The visit forms part of the country’s broader ambition to host an F1 race on African soil for the first time since the dawn of democracy.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed the development during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
“His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has agreed to join me at a Formula One Grand Prix later this year. This is a working visit, not a social one,” McKenzie said.
Formula One has not staged a race in Africa for more than three decades. During that time, the sport has expanded across the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, leaving Africa as the only continent without a race.
“That is not acceptable, and it is not sustainable. An entire generation of young African motorsport enthusiasts has never seen a Formula One race in their own backyard. We intend to change that,” the Minister said.
He added that the President’s participation signals that the initiative has backing at the highest level of government.
“There are criteria that any country must meet to host a Grand Prix - commercial, logistical, infrastructural and safety requirements - and we are working methodically to meet each of them.
“The President’s visit will allow us to observe, engage and strengthen our case. I will provide further details on the timing and the specific Grand Prix in due course, in coordination with the Presidency,” McKenzie said. -SAnews.gov.za
