
Former Premier League star, 34, at the front of sensational bid to return F1 to Africa with brand new track
Got it Sor-ted Former Premier League star, 34, at the front of sensational bid to return F1 to Africa with brand new track
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
FORMER Premier League star Marvin Sordell is fronting a sensational bid to bring Formula One to Africa, according to reports.
Sordell, 34, is a co-chief executive and director for Opus Race Promotions, having retired from football in 2019 to then come out of it for non-league side Kettering Town.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
4
F1 are reportedly in talks over a new race to be held in Nigeria
Credit: Getty
4
The bid is being fronted by ex-Prem star Marvin Sordell
Credit: PA
4
Stefano Domenicali has reportedly been invited to Abuja to review the project
Credit: AFP
Sordell played for both Bolton and Burnley in the Premier League, but is perhaps best known for his time in the Championship for clubs including Watford, Charlton and Burton Albion.
His company has already gained "early support" from the Nigerian government over the prospect of getting the nation to host a grand prix.
According to The Times, the plans include far more than simply hosting a race in the capital city of Abuja.
The pledges made by Opus outline the building of a karting track, hotels, a technology hub, and a motorsport museum, among other infrastructure.
READ MORE IN F1
GRIN AND BEAR IT Tearful Red Bull staff ordered to 'smile more' after Christian Horner axe
Nigeria's chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, invited the promoter to Nigeria in April to present a concept of their grand F1 designs.
The proposal seemed to have left Dikko impressed, because a month later, the promoter was officially appointed to negotiate with F1 and the FIA on behalf of the Nigerian government.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has also reportedly been invited to Abuja by Opus to review the project.
SunSport have contacted F1 for comment over the claims.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
Domenicali, 60, has repeatedly spoken about his desire to expand the motorsport into new markets.
Africa is a major omission from the modern F1 calendar, with the last race on the continent happening at the Kyalami Circuit in South Africa back in 1993.
Infamous abandoned F1 track that left icon blind in one eye used for completely different sport
The only other nation F1 has been to on the continent is Morocco, all the way back in 1958.
F1 legend Lewis Hamilton has been a major voice pushing for the sport to add a race in Africa.
Both South Africa and Rwanda have been among the front-runners linked with that lucrative possibility.
However, speaking in May, Domenicali ruled out a race happening anytime soon, saying: "Realistically speaking, I don't think we're going to have an outcome in the very short term."
A new European track in Madrid is being added next year in place of Italy's famous Imola circuit.
Meanwhile, Thailand appears on course to be the next new addition to F1.
That's after the government there agreed to a roughly £890million funding plan for a street race in Bangkok, which could debut as early as 2028.
The 2025 F1 season returns in Belgium this weekend after a two-week break following the chaotic British Grand Prix.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
9 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Don't look back in Angers: Wiebes sprints to stage three win at Tour de France Femmes
Lorena Wiebes is widely known as the best sprinter in women's cycling and the Dutch rider did not disappoint on stage three of the Tour de France Femmes, coming from deep to roar past her rivals and pip Marianne Vos at the finish line in Angers. Wiebes' victory capped a chaotic last few kilometres, with dozens of riders caught up in a heavy crash on a narrow bend. The 2023 Tour winner, Demi Vollering, seen as one of the favourites for general classification this year, went down hard and had to be helped back on her bike by her FDJ-Suez teammates, before gingerly rolling over the finish line to stay in the race. Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) was another who looked hurt, although none of the affected riders will lose time in the GC standings as the crash occurred less than five kilometres before the end of the stage. Wiebes had been disappointed to miss out on a potential sprint victory on Sunday after Mavi García's well-judged breakaway, but the European champion made no mistake on Monday as Wiebes bided her time before roaring past her rivals on the home straight, before finishing with too much pace for her trailing compatriot, Marianne Vos. Vos had to settle for second place behind but reclaimed the yellow jersey after narrowly losing it to Kim Le Court after stage two. 'It was very hectic, very fast,' Vos said of the finish. 'Of course, everyone was fighting for position and I think when we went right on to the river there was a big crash behind me. I hope everyone is well.' Vos, 38, is now six seconds ahead of Mauritius' Le Court in the general classification after the flat 163.5km ride from La Gacilly to Angers. France's Olympic cross-country champion, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, completed the top three, 12 seconds behind, with last year's Tour winner, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, fourth. Vollering remains fifth in the GC standings but faces a short window of recovery after her crash before Tuesday's fourth stage, another flat stage from Saumur to Poitiers.


Metro
10 minutes ago
- Metro
Ex-Arsenal star set for Premier League return after Ramsdale and Xhaka
Yet another former Arsenal player could make a surprise transfer back to the Premier League following Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsdale. Mikel Arteta has been busy this summer spending just shy of £200million on six new players, including Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke. There could yet be more incomings at the Emirates but this transfer window has also seen several notable ex-Gunners make high-profile moves. Former club captain Xhaka is set to join newly-promoted Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £17m. The Swiss midfielder only left north London two years ago and achieved great success in Germany, leading Leverkusen to an invincible league and cup double. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Meanwhile, Ramsdale has reportedly said yes to joining Newcastle, with the Magpies now working on the terms of a transfer with Southampton. The England goalkeeper, who only left the Emirates last summer, is available for £20m thanks to a relegation release clause, but could move to St. James' Park on a loan deal. Now, a third player Arteta recently got rid of could be heading back to England, as Sky Sports report that Everton are interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The former Three Lions star spent two decades at Arsenal and started the 2020 FA Cup final victory, the last time the club won a major trophy. Capable of playing at full-back and defensive midfield, he struggled to keep his place in the first-team under Arteta and after multiple loan spells, he was released in 2023 and subsequently joined Lyon. It is said Maitland-Niles, who has two years left on his contract with the French club, is open to returning to the Premier League. More Trending Everton boss David Moyes is an admirer of the 27-year-old and is desperate for new signings, recently telling The Athletic: 'I would hope by the time we get to the end of the window, we'd be closer to 10 [new players]. So you can imagine the amount of work we've got to do. 'The club are trying really hard to get the players I want and I've found it really difficult because in my last few years [in his previous job at West Ham], I've been involved in European competition. 'It's a bit easier when you're a club in Europe. You get a better chance of attracting a lot of players. 'We've been in for a lot of really good players. Unfortunately, a lot them have said no at the moment.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea preparing opening transfer bid to beat Arsenal to £60m star MORE: William Saliba warns Premier League rivals over 'scary' Arsenal signing MORE: Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak rejects £96m transfer offer after Liverpool talks


Metro
10 minutes ago
- Metro
Chelsea preparing opening transfer bid to beat Arsenal to £60m star
Chelsea are lining up an opening transfer offer to sign RB Leipzig and Netherlands star Xavi Simons, according to reports. The Blues have already bolstered Enzo Maresca's attack with the addition of Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap for a combined fee of around £160million this summer. Young duo Estevao and Kendry Paez, both aged 18, could also be set for key roles in the first-team next season having touched down in west London with burgeoning reputations in South American football. But Stamford Bridge bosses are determined to further strengthen by bringing in Ajax defender Jorrel Hato and RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Simons before the transfer deadline. It's understood personal terms have been agreed with Hato's camp and a total agreement is edging ever closer for the 19-year-old Netherlands international. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Talks for Hato's Dutch team-mate Simons are also progressing at a pace and Chelsea are preparing an official bid for the 22-year-old having received some encouraging signs from RB Leipzig. According to talkSPORT, the latest round of 'positive' discussions have 'accelerated' over the last few days. It's claimed agent Ali Barat has been at the heart of negotiations for Simons this summer, with RB Leipzig keen to include a sell-on clause in any agreement for the former PSG and PSV Eindhoven man. The report adds that the Bundesliga outfit would be prepared to sanction the sale of Simons should they receive an offer in the region of €70m (£60.7m) from Chelsea. More Trending However, the Blues are hopeful they could drive down RB Leipzig's asking price and agree a lower fee for Simons. Chelsea's hierarchy want to avoid a repeat of last season – when Maresca's attacking options were left desperately thin on the ground after a string of injuries to key players – and Simons' versatility is considered a big plus. Arsenal have also been considering a move for Simons, but their interest remains just that at his stage and no concrete talks have taken place, with Eberechi Eze currently the Gunners' priority. Simons, who is believed to be open to the prospect of a Premier League move, has two years remaining on his current contract with RB Leipzig. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Ex-Arsenal star set for Premier League return after Aaron Ramsdale and Granit Xhaka MORE: William Saliba warns Premier League rivals over 'scary' Arsenal signing MORE: 'One of the best clubs' – Man Utd target fuels transfer speculation