logo
South Africa Moves Closer To Hosting Formula One Race

South Africa Moves Closer To Hosting Formula One Race

NDTV18-06-2025
Toby Venter, owner of the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit near Johannesburg, said on Wednesday that plans to upgrade the track to Formula One standards had been approved by the controlling body. He told reporters the venue that last hosted a F1 race in 1993 had been given the green light by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to implement design proposals. "Today, we turn the page to a bold new chapter for Kyalami. We are ready for the return of Formula One to African soil," said Venter.
"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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

INDIA bloc leaders likely to discuss joint Vice-Presidential candidate on Monday
INDIA bloc leaders likely to discuss joint Vice-Presidential candidate on Monday

Time of India

time37 minutes ago

  • Time of India

INDIA bloc leaders likely to discuss joint Vice-Presidential candidate on Monday

The opposition INDIA bloc leaders are likely to discuss their joint candidate for the post of vice-president at a meeting of floor leaders on Monday morning. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency Sources said the INDIA bloc leaders would meet at the office of Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, at 10.15 am on Monday. The meeting will be held a day after the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) announced Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan as its nominee for the post of vice-president, the second-highest constitution position in the country. Radhakrishnan hails from Tamil Nadu, which will go to polls in 2026. While the ruling BJP feels that the nomination of Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader with an RSS background, will elicit support from the wider opposition, especially the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, it remains to be seen what stand the opposition parties take on Monday. Live Events BJP president J P Nadda, while announcing the nomination of Radhakrishnan after a meeting of the party's parliamentary board on Sunday, said the NDA will speak to the opposition parties to reach a consensus for the vice-presidential election. The Congress-led INDIA bloc partners earlier announced their decision to field a joint 'non-political' candidate for the election. The vice-presidential election, necessitated by the sudden resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar last month, is scheduled for September 9. The last date for filing nomination is August 21.

Who is CP Radhakrishnan? From Tiruppur roots to NDA's Vice Presidential nominee; all you need to know
Who is CP Radhakrishnan? From Tiruppur roots to NDA's Vice Presidential nominee; all you need to know

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Who is CP Radhakrishnan? From Tiruppur roots to NDA's Vice Presidential nominee; all you need to know

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has named Maharashtra Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the post of Vice President of India. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency With over four decades in politics and public life, Radhakrishnan brings a long and varied career spanning grassroots activism , parliamentary work, gubernatorial responsibilities, and leadership within the BJP. Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo His public life began early—he started as an RSS Swayamsevak and became a State Executive Committee Member of the Bharatiya Janasangh in 1974. Rise in politics and Lok Sabha journey In 1996, he was appointed Secretary of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, before entering national politics as an elected MP from Coimbatore in 1998. He was re-elected in 1999. Live Events During his parliamentary tenure, Radhakrishnan served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Textiles, and was also a member of the Parliamentary Committee for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and the Consultative Committee for Finance. He was part of the Special Parliamentary Committee probing the Stock Exchange Scam. In 2004, he addressed the UN General Assembly as part of India's Parliamentary Delegation and was also a member of the first Indian Parliamentary delegation to Taiwan. State leadership and mass campaigns Between 2004 and 2007, Radhakrishnan was the President of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, where he undertook a 19,000 km 'Ratha Yatra' lasting 93 days. The campaign raised demands for linking India's rivers, eradicating terrorism, implementing a uniform civil code, removing untouchability, and combating narcotic drugs. He also led two more Padayatras for various causes. In 2016, he became Chairman of the Coir Board, Kochi, where under his leadership, India's coir exports touched an all-time high of Rs 2,532 crore. From 2020 to 2022, he was All-India in charge of BJP for Kerala. On February 18, 2023, he was appointed Governor of Jharkhand. Within four months of assuming office, he travelled across all 24 districts of the state, engaging with citizens and officials. He also briefly discharged additional responsibilities as Governor of Telangana and Lt. Governor of Puducherry. On July 31, 2024, he was sworn in as the Governor of Maharashtra. Personal life and interests Radhakrishnan is also known as a sports enthusiast—a college champion in table tennis and a long-distance runner, with interests in cricket and volleyball. A widely travelled leader, he has visited countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, including the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Turkey, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Egypt, UAE, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Japan. As the NDA's Vice Presidential nominee, CP Radhakrishnan 's candidacy highlights his blend of grassroots connect, parliamentary experience, and gubernatorial service, positioning him as a seasoned figure in Indian politics.

India confident of meeting fiscal deficit target, despite planned tax cuts
India confident of meeting fiscal deficit target, despite planned tax cuts

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

India confident of meeting fiscal deficit target, despite planned tax cuts

India is confident of meeting its fiscal deficit target of 4.4% for the current fiscal year, according to a government source with knowledge of the matter, despite its plans to cut consumption tax later this year. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency In the biggest tax overhaul since 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced sweeping changes to the complex goods and services tax (GST) regime which will make daily essentials and electronics cheaper. "India's federal and state governments have options to offset any loss of revenue due to lowering of rates," the government source said without providing further details. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo The source also said it will end the practice of collecting compensation cess by December. The GST compensation cess is an additional levy imposed on certain items to compensate states for any revenue loss incurred due to the implementation. India's finance ministry did not respond to a request for comment sent outside of office hours.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store