Wayne Reiche/Red Bull Content Pool
Grand Prix in Africa still some way off - Domenicali
Formula 1’s attempts to add a race on the African continent remain far from coming to fruition despite three separate projects showing interest.
The sport has been keen to target a grand prix in Africa as a region that it does not currently have a racing presence, and had been making progress in recent years with a potential event in Rwanda. However, that project has lost momentum, and while there are also interested parties in both Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, RACER understands all three are still a long way from becoming a reality.
“We are progressing,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said during an announcement of a global partnership extension with MSC Cruises. “We are working together to try to find the best solution.
“As always, when there is a new opportunity or possibility, we need make sure that the plans are done with a long-term vision. We cannot go to a place that is new, just go there and then [leave] without staying for a long time.
“So we are progressing our discussions with three places in Africa. Realistically speaking, I don't think that we're going to have an outcome in the very short term.
"But I can guarantee to you, that is one of our focus because we are missing one continent, and we want to connect to that … It's a matter of finding the right plan, and, hopefully, we can update you soon on that project.”
As well as Africa, there remains interest from other potential host countries elsewhere, with the Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visiting Monaco on Friday as plans continue to progress for a street race in Bangkok.
Domenicali was speaking about the sport’s reach and footprint in different regions as F1 announced a renewal of its global partnership with the cruise division of the MSC Group - made up of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. The partnership has been extended until 2030, and the newest edition to MSC’s luxury arm – Explora II – is moored in the harbor and acting as a boutique hotel for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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