The Long, Expensive Race to Bring F1 Back to Africa
Today, Africa is the only populated continent not on the Grand Prix circuit, a glaring omission for a global sport that recently added races in Qatar and Azerbaijan. Hartslief, 60, is part of a big effort to change that. He's one of several African bidders vying to win the next available license. The cast of characters includes a Porsche executive, a winemaker, a street racing promoter, an Austrian driver and a wartime president. If F1 returns to the continent, South Africa is seen as a strong contender, largely because of its lead on infrastructure, says a person familiar with the deliberations who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. Aspiring hosts in the country view the sport's possible return as a way to immediately attract tourists, spur growth and showcase South Africa's progress since the end of apartheid.
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