Revelations of a new West Coast GP bid from major investors to bring Formula 1 (F1) back to South Africa are making headlines. With Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie set to announce an F1 Steering Committee today (Wednesday 18 December 2024), a new group outside of the Kyalami GP bid has suddenly emerged.
According to Motorsport Media, a new group has confirmed that it will submit a West Coast GP bid to host a South African Grand Prix at “a significant site on the West Coast,” reports the story. Known as the Langa Lethu South African Grand Prix Bid Group, it is understood a formal announcement will follow early in the New Year (2025).
NEW WEST COAST GP BID EMERGES
Should it come to fruition, and form part of McKenzie’s F1 Steering Committee plans announced later today, that will be the third F1 bid from the African continent. After the FIA held its annual prize-giving ceremony in Rwanda last week, F1 insiders say the Rwandan F1 deal is as good as sealed with F1 boss Stefano Domenicali being in favour of it.
Nevertheless, the Langa Lethu South African Grand Prix Bid Group confirms it will tender a bid to host a future West Coast Grand Prix, going up against Kyalami and Rwanda. Langa Lethu comprises a group of high-level financiers, as well as a team of international motorsport specialists. The report says, “its team has proven expertise and wherewithal in promoting and running Grand Prix motor races.”
TABLE MOUNTAIN BACKDROP
While it has shared no concrete plans as yet, Langa Lethu says it will construct a Grade 1 FIA spec, state-of-the-art Grand Prix racetrack with the Table Mountain and Robben Island as a backdrop. With this in mind, we can only assume the West Coast GP bid will be along the Milnerton, Tableview beachfront or similar. The group goes on to say the location will be close to the Cape Town International Airport and fed by main roads and public transport for easy access for over 100 000 spectators.
Better still, building the facility will create thousands of new jobs and stimulate long-term growth and opportunity in the area. Langa Lethu says it looks forward to minister McKenzie’s announcements later today. And it hopes to exercise its right to bid for and host the South African Grand Prix in line with laws controlling government tenders. – with Motorsport Media
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