South Africa's Kyalami Circuit would welcome a return to the Formula 1 calendar, but says it's unlikely to happen whilst the costs of doing so are so high.
The circuit, which last hosted a round of the F1 championship in 1993 and on 20 occasions prior to that, has recently undergone a major refurbishment following its takeover by Toby Venter, owner of Porsche South Africa.
However with hosting fees in the tens of millions, circuit spokesperson Christo Kruger admitted that remained a massive barrier to returning.
"Kyalami would welcome Formula 1 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit again," Kruger told F1 Fanatic. "We think there's a heritage that we would like to see back again. I also think the African continent deserves an actual Formula 1 race again.
"But the prohibitive costs of hosting Formula One is really the bugbear. It's just not financially feasible in the current structure to host Formula 1."
Whilst the circuit is currently rated Grade 2 by the FIA, Kruger added that upgrading to the necessary Grade 1 status wouldn't be an issue should Liberty Media show an interest in getting the African continent back on the calendar.
"Kyalami remains there as a facility and we are prepared to enter into negotiations and discussions to upgrade or to change the actual the circuit to what is palatable for Formula 1 racing.
"It's an FIA grade two track at the moment, we will upgrade to grade one but there needs to be commitment in terms of a long-term future for Formula 1 in South Africa. But we do not have the financial wherewithal to be the promoter for a Formula 1 race."
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