16/05/2019
NEWS STORY
For a global sport, there is still one major omission in terms of the F1 calendar, the continent of Africa.
And while there has long been talk of heading back to South Africa, according to F1 commercial boss, Sean Bratches, in addition to a return there, the Moroccan city of Marrakesh is also in talks to host a round of the world championship.
"We race on five continents and the last habituated continent that we don’t race in is Africa," said Bratches at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club in London. "We have proactively been approached by Morocco and Marrakech to take a grand prix there. There is a high degree of interest.
"Formula One raced in South Africa before, "he continued, there is a historic track in Kyalami, but I have been told that due to political considerations historically, that ceased.
"We are looking in the short term to have a race there. It is really important to us to have a race in Africa."
Since the inception of the Formula One World Championship in 1950, 21 South African Grands Prix have been held, the first three at East London and the remainder at Kyalami, which last hosted an F1 race in 1993.
While there have been 13 Grands Prix in Morocco, dating back to 1925, only one - that run in 1958 - formed part of the world championship.
Won by Stirling Moss, the event was overshadowed by the death of British driver Stuart Lewis-Evans.
At a time the futures of Silverstone, Barcelona, Hockenheim and Mexico City are in serious doubt, while many would welcome the return of South Africa, it is unlikely that anyone would view a race in Marrakesh with the same enthusiasm.
While Zandvoort and Vietnam are added to the calendar in 2020, it is unclear which two races will make way for them, with Bratches once again confirming that the schedule is for 21 races.
"We are optimistic about the prospect of a 21 Grand Prix schedule next year," he said. "I don't think we are going to have more than that."
Referring to the prospect of a second race in the United States, he added: "In an ideal circumstance we would be racing downtown Miami or downtown Las Vegas, those are the two cities that best align with our brand and our aspirations.
"We are going to try and create the best experience in each market that circumstances will permit, not only from a racing standpoint but a fan engagement and economic standpoint it's still viable."
Meanwhile, speaking at the same event, Yath Gangakumaran, F1's director of Strategy and Business Development, revealed that Rwanda and Nigeria are keen to host fan events.
"I think Rwanda in particular have seen the benefits of the Arsenal sponsorship deal," he said, referring to a sponsoorship deal which saw a south London football club of minor importance sporting 'Visit Rwanda' logos on its shirts. "There's a lot of interest not just for races but for actuations throughout the continent."
Let's hope that any deals done with officials in Nigeria, in particular, are not carried out by email.