Motorsport

PLANS for Formula One to return to South Africa for the first time in more than three decades are nearing a decisive decision.F1 fans have long wanted the motorsport to return to Africa, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton one of the most vocal supporters of the move.Cape Town F1 race bidders have released their latest plans for a new street trackCredit: TILKEThe new plans will see it run along the waterfront and past a World Cup StadiumThe track will run next to Cape Town stadium, which hosted a World Cup semi-final in 2010Credit: The TimesAlternatively, the F1 will return to the Kyalami which hosted the last African race in 1993Credit: GettyTalks over a return have been ongoing for years, but the South African government are now close to making a major decision on how they will make plans a reality.One popular idea is to use the refurbished Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit located just north of Johannesberg, which hosted the country’s last F1 race back in 1993.The other proposal would see the construction of a street race circuit running along Cape Town’s waterfront and past a 2010 World Cup semi-final stadium, known as Green Point Stadium.Organisers for the Cape Town bid have detailed their latest changes to the Tilke-designed 5.7km circuit.READ MORE IN F1They hope the central, urban location of the track which will snake around the Green Point harbour and use facilities around the 64,000 capacity Cape Town stadium, will help to edge it across the line.Cape Town GP CEO Igshaan Amlay highlighted the potential capacity of 250,000 visitors – the 2024 British Grand Prix at Silverstone had a record 480,000 visitors – and the natural beauty around the circuit.Amlay, who has been working on a project to bring F1 to Cape Town for over two decades, told Autosport: “The latest design has all the bells and whistles.”It’s partly on the waterfront and it also uses the facilities that have been used for the football World Cup.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”We meet all the requirements, with the airport 15 to 20 minutes away from the circuit; we’ve got a top hospital on site and plenty of hotels within walking distance. “What also plays a big role is the natural backdrops of Robben Island, the waterfront and Table Mountain. Cape Town has a lot to offer as our top holiday destination.Ex-F1 track which hosts 125,000 fans left under METRE of water after torrential rain as home straight turns into a river”We’re up against Kyalami, which has a rich F1 history, so it’s a street race versus a purpose-built circuit. “We’ll be waiting to see what the decision will be. Here we could easily accommodate 250,000 people, so it makes it more accessible to more people.”A decision one way or another is set to be made at the end of April, though work still needs to be done to convince F1 bosses that a being given a spot on the calendar from 2028 would be worthwhile.Bids from a number of other nations have also been heavily lobbied to F1 chiefs, with CEO Stefano Domenicali visiting Thailand over a proposed race there last month.Previous proposals had seen the track run through the Cape Town Stadium.But the latest plans will instead have it run next to ground, with the venue used as a paddock, media centre and hospitality centre.Amlay added: “The purpose of running through the stadium was that it can take a capacity of up to 70,000 people and our intention was to make it accessible to people that can never afford to go to a F1 race.”After speaking to the circuit’s designers, there are a few obstacles and it would be better to actually run along the circuit. DHL Stadium will be used for the paddocks and the media centre. “Everything that was set up for the football World Cup will be reactivated, and it’s already existent within the stadium, so we will make full use of it. “We will still run through the original Green Point athletics stadium, which has a rich legacy.”He continued: “We’ve never shied away from any criticism. Whenever people criticised us, we looked at it seriously and made a few changes.”When we pitched the idea in 2016, we had interest from various sponsors and investors. The big problem we had was we didn’t get the government’s backing. “But now there is a big push, and we have a huge following from the younger generation, who have been following Formula 1 and have been supportive of it.”We’ve come a long way since first envisaging the concept back in 1999, but we’ve always believed in it. If you believe in something and you persevere, then it will happen.”Read More on The SunThe Cape Town stadium the track will run past hosted England during a World Cup group game against Algeria, before playing host to the semi-finals between Uruguay and the Netherlands.South Africa’s last F1 race was won by four-time world champion Alain Prost after the Frenchman also took pole, with icon Ayrton Senna and Brit Mark Blundell completing the podium. More

FORMULA ONE star Carlos Sainz has been hit with a £17,000 fine by the FIA for an unusual reason.The Williams driver was hit with the fine by the FIA for a breach of pre-race procedure despite suffering a medical issue at the Japanese Grand Prix.Carlos Sainz was hit with a £17,000 fine for a breach of race procedureCredit: GettyThe Williams driver missed the Japanese national anthem before the race with a stomach issueCredit: RexF1 drivers are expected to follow a strict schedule over the course of the weekend, including observing the host countries national anthem prior to the race start.But Sainz, 30, was suffering with a stomach issue before the race which caused him to miss the national anthem scheduled for 1.44pm local time.A FIA statement confirmed the Spanish ace was given medication for the problem which delayed his appearance.And it was for this reason that the fine was cut down from £51,000 (€60,000) to £17,000 (€20,000), with £8,500 (€10,000) suspended.READ MORE IN F1A statement from the motorsport governing body said: “The Driver Carlos Sainz is fined €20,000 of which €10,000 is suspended for a period of 12 months subject to there being no further breach of the above Article 19.4.b) during that period.”The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 55 (Carlos Sainz), the team representative and Dr Messina of Med-Ex, and reviewed video evidence.”The Driver arrived at the National Anthem Position after the Anthem had commenced. “During the Drivers’ Briefing on Friday all drivers were reminded of the requirement to be in position by the time prescribed in the regulations and the need to show respect for the host country’s Anthem.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”It is noted that the Penalty Guidelines prescribed in Appendix B of the FIA International Sporting Code, list a penalty for this offence, of €60,000. “However in mitigation, the Driver stated that just prior to the Anthem, he experienced discomfort due a stomach issue which delayed his appearance on the grid. Sky Sports F1 pundits in hysterics as star reveals he ‘almost crash’ after bizarre injury in ‘sensitive area’”This was verified by Dr Messina of Med-Ex who confirmed the issue and stated he had provided appropriate medication for the Driver.”Notwithstanding the above, displaying respect for the National Anthem is a high priority and all parties need to consider every eventuality in planning to be in position for the Anthem by the required time. “Hence a penalty similar to that imposed for a similar breach in Canada in 2024, is imposed.”Sainz finished the race down in 14th place, leaving him without points for a Sunday race with his new team.Williams’ team-mate Alex Albon finished in P9 to add to his P5 finish at the season opener in Australia at P7 result in China.Meanwhile, Max Verstappen made history by becoming the first driver to win at Suzuka four times in a row as he finished ahead of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.Elsewhere, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli broke two of Verstappen’s records as he became both the youngest race leader in F1 history and youngest ever driver to record a fastest lap. More