Ecclestone wants F1 to return to SAfrica; more hopeful of Cape Town GP after successful WCup

Ecclestone hopes to see F1 in Cape Town in 3 years

SILVERSTONE, England — Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone believes Grand Prix racing could return to South Africa in three years, riding the momentum created by the country’s successful hosting of soccer’s World Cup.

The last race was held there in 1993 and F1 has not visited South Africa regularly since 1985, when the country came under an international sports ban for its apartheid policies.

“We have been talking to the people there for quite a long time,” Ecclestone told the BBC on Sunday, hours before the British Grand Prix and World Cup final. “It is another continent where we should be. Hopefully now people will think what the World Cup has done for Africa would be good for Formula One.”

F1 was previously staged at the Kyalami circuit near Pretoria, but Cape Town is Ecclestone’s preferred venue.

“We’ve been talking to the people in Cape Town, there are one or two places now that are coming on quite strong which could happen,” Ecclestone said. “We’re talking about building a circuit. It’s probably three years away.”

Ecclestone is also keen to add Moscow to the list of championship venues.

“Important, really, is Russia,” Ecclestone said.