Formula 1 is striving to include South Africa on its 2023 calendar, amid further doubts over the status of existing European venues.
Formula 1 chiefs have been keen to secure a grand prix on every habitable continent and focus in recent weeks has shifted to South Africa in the wake of Las Vegas’ much-hyped 2023 debut being tied down.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has travelled to Kyalami on Monday straight from Azerbaijan Grand Prix venue Baku.
South Africa has not featured on Formula 1’s calendar since 1993, when Kyalami was also the host circuit.
Kyalami has been heavily renovated since Formula 1’s last visit though would still need upgrading and infrastructure improvements to receive FIA Grade 1 status.
Should Formula 1 reach an agreement with Kyalami then focus will switch to events likely to fall off the calendar after 2022.
That is because Las Vegas is joining next year, Qatar will return for its first event of a 10-year deal, while China is due to appear for the first time since 2019.
That would give 26 events – and Formula 1’s Concorde Agreement outlines a maximum of 24 grands prix per season.
France’s event is widely expected to drop from the calendar though of the other existing grands prix historic rounds in Monaco and Belgium remain uncontracted beyond 2022.
Officials at Spa-Francorchamps have recently undertaken a partial renovation though this has primarily been aimed at returning motorcycles to the venue, with much-needed alterations to the Eau Rouge/Raidillon run-off having finally been completed.
Monaco is expected to remain on the schedule on revised terms.
China’s round, at the Shanghai International Circuit, is contracted for another three years but ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in the country continue to cloud the picture over its viability for 2023.
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