South Africa Moves Closer To Hosting Formula One Race
"When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it, not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across Africa.
"The acceptance by the FIA of our grade one design is a major step forward in that journey," added Venter, an importer of luxury vehicles.
Kyalami and Cape Town in South Africa, Rwanda and Morocco have expressed interest in bringing F1 racing back to Africa.
The British company charged with doing the upgrades said they were "minor", and could be completed within three months. FIA has given Kyalami a three-year deadline for completion.
Upgrades, which will not change the 4.5 kilometre (2.8 miles) circuit layout, include enhancing run-off areas and barriers.
"The proposed FIA grade one upgrade focuses on enhancing run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs, and drainage," a company spokesman said.
"This is a light-touch upgrade in engineering terms, but one that enhances the already excellent circuit standards to meet modern grade one requirements."
More spectator zones and grandstands have also been earmarked as part of a bigger upgrade, leaving Kyalami as the only grade one certified venue in Africa.
Kyalami has hosted 21 F1 Grands Prix, the last in 1993 won by Alain Prost for Williams. The annual event was discontinued because it proved too costly for the then owners to host.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
‘India committed to help develop African nations': PM Modi at Ghana Parliament
A strong India will contribute to a more stable world at a time of global uncertainty, and the changing circumstances emphasise the need for global governance reforms as institutions created in the past century are struggling to respond, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Ghana Parliament in Accra on Thursday. (AFP) Addressing a special session of the Parliament in Accra, Modi said India is a committed partner in the development of African nations by creating local opportunities and enhancing connectivity and infrastructure. The speech was Modi's final engagement of his visit to Ghana, the first by an Indian premier in three decades. Modi is visiting Ghana and Namibia in Africa during a five-nation tour that is part of New Delhi's expanding outreach to the Global South. India and Ghana agreed on Wednesday to ramp up cooperation in defence, food security and pharmaceuticals and to double two-way trade to $6 billion in five years. 'In these times of global uncertainty, India's democratic stability shines as a ray of hope. India's rapid progress is a catalyst for global growth. As the world's largest democracy, India is a pillar of strength for the world. A strong India will contribute to a more stable and prosperous world,' Modi said in a rare speech in English. A technological revolution, rise of the Global South and shifting demographics are contributing to rapid changes in the global order created after World War II, and the world is facing complex crises such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. 'Institutions created in the last century are struggling to respond. The changing circumstances demand credible and effective reforms in global governance,' he said. Modi emphasised progress isn't possible without giving voice to the Global South. 'We need more than slogans. We need action… We put emphasis on Africa's rightful place at the global high table,' he told a gathering that included Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, vice president Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Speaker Alban Bagbin, MPs, representatives of political parties, diplomats and members of the Indian community. India, with its fast growing economy, stable polity and role as an innovation and technology hub, can help drive the progress of African nations. 'Africa's goals are our priorities. Our approach is to grow together as equals. Our development partnership with Africa is demand-driven,' Modi said. 'It is focussed on building local capacities and creating local opportunities. Our objective is not just to invest, but to empower… We have expanded our diplomatic presence to 46 countries across Africa. Over 200 projects across the continent enhance connectivity, infrastructure and industrial capacity,' he said. Welcoming Ghana's efforts to accelerate economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, Modi pointed to the country's potential to become a regional IT and innovation hub. Modi quoted from both former Ghanaian president Francis Kwame Nkrumah and the Rig Veda to emphasise the shared democratic ideals of the two countries. Recalling Nkrumah's remarks that 'The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart', he said that true democracy promotes discussion and debate, unites people and promotes human rights. The Rig Veda, he said, states 'let good thoughts come to us from all directions' and this openness to ideas is the core of democracy. 'This is also the reason that people who came to India have always been welcomed with open hearts. The same spirit helps Indians integrate easily wherever they go,' he added. Following the address, Modi interacted with Ghanaian MPs. Earlier, he paid tribute to Nkrumah at a memorial dedicated to the Ghanaian leader. 'He was a visionary statesman whose thoughts and ideals guide several people. He devoted himself towards the well-being of people of Ghana,' Modi said on social media.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Rugby-'He's the right man', Lions coach Farrell defends decision to call up son Owen
By Nick Mulvenney Rugby-'He's the right man', Lions coach Farrell defends decision to call up son Owen SYDNEY -British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell said his decision to bring his son Owen to Australia as an injury replacement for Elliot Daly was made as much for his experience of three previous tours as for his playing ability. Daly, an outside back-outside centre who was on his third Lions tour, was sent home on Thursday after suffering a broken arm against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday. The decision to replace him with a flyhalf-inside centre who has not played a test since 2023 and is coming off an injury-ravaged season in French club rugby was always going to court controversy. Andy Farrell told reporters in Sydney that he felt there was good cover for Daly in the outside backs and at outside centre but that his experience would be sorely missed. "It's what we need for the squad, when you look at the experience that Elliot has had," he said. "The experience isn't just the playing side, it's how you make the group feel, the little chats that you have around the place to make sure everything is gelling together. And obviously Owen will bring a bit of that to the group." Farrell said the former England captain, who has played 118 tests, would not have been called up if he was not fit and would definitely be in contention to play despite not having seen any action for nine weeks. "If you didn't have a chance, then what's the point?" he asked. "He's the right man at this moment in time for us, he looks after himself and prides himself on keeping himself in good nick anyway. "There are plenty of players who have not played for quite some time. And the experience of knowing what you can do helps in that regard." Farrell junior's sometimes abrasive attitude has often divided opinion, even in England, and the decision to call him up will certainly not be popular with some fans of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. "I hope people can get past that," his father said. "I think that there's been a lot of that nonsense for some time. That was in the past. "I think we all just need to move on and embrace what the Lions is all about, and what we've got coming ahead." The 33-year-old playmaker will join the squad in Sydney on Friday, too late to play a role in the match against the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday. After that, the Lions play tour matches against the ACT Brumbies and an invitational Australia-New Zealand team before the first test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Liverpool football star Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain
MADRID: Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday, police said, weeks after the Portugal star got married, sparking widespread grief. The Civil Guard said a vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the municipality of Cernadilla in the northwestern Zamora province, confirming the deaths of Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva. "Everything points to the blowout of a tyre while it (the vehicle) was overtaking," the Civil Guard said in a statement, adding that the corpses had been taken to a morgue. Local media published video footage showing debris and the charred, mangled remains of what they identified as Jota's Lamborghini on the side of a motorway. Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Jota on X, saying the death "makes no sense" just weeks after his marriage and their UEFA Nations League title with the national team. "We will all miss you," the superstar forward wrote. Portuguese football federation president Pedro Proenca said he was "devastated", calling Jota "an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents, someone blessed with an infectious joy and a reference for his own community". "We have lost two champions. The death of Diogo and Andre Silva are irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything possible to honour their legacy every day," Proenca wrote on social media. He said they had asked UEFA for a minute's silence before Portugal's Women's Euro 2025 match against Spain in Switzerland on Thursday. Liverpool said it was "devastated" by the "unimaginable loss" and that it would make no further comment for the privacy of the brothers' family, friends, teammates and club staff. "We will continue to provide them with our full support," Liverpool added in a statement. Liverpool fans had already begun laying flowers, scarves and other tributes at the club's Anfield stadium, British media reported.
