SA closer to F1 starting line

Gauteng has advantage with track already in place, says Maile.

- Faizel Patel

South Africa is now officially on track to host a Formula One (F1) Grand Prix after Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie appointed a bid steering committee.

McKenzie announced the diverse team to handle the bidding process for the return of the sport to SA at a media briefing at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand on Wednesday.

The committee comprises Bakang Lethoko as chair, Anton Roux, Motorsport SA CEO Vic Maharaj, MultiChoice CEO Rendani Ramovha, Stephen Watson, Shane Water, CEO and cofounder at Newzroom Afrika Thabile Ngwato, Gavin Varejes, Andrew Dunn, Timothy Harris, Charnie-Lee Kruger, Nomsa Chabeli and Mlimandlela Ndamase.

The committee will prepare a bid to be considered by the F1 Group and global motorsport's governing body, the FIA.

This will include choosing which city and track to put forward for consideration.

The committee's first task will be to appoint a promoter to be the preferred host by February next year. Then the committee and the promoter will appear before the Cabinet to receive the go-ahead for the bid.

McKenzie paid tribute to F1's most successful driver in history, Lewis Hamilton, who has long advocated for South Africa to join the F1 calendar. Hamilton has said he wants to race in South Africa before the end of his career.