No African Grand Prix until five years – Jean Todt
FIA president Jean Todt who was the team boss of Ferrari, stated that there is no possibility of a Formula 1 grand prix in Africa in the next five years.
F1 “supremo” Bernie Ecclestone claimed earlier this summer that he felt that South Africa could also be in a position to host a race within the next three years but Todt, Thank God, does not believe it will happen.
It’s about time someone spoke against Bernie as it seems that the experienced CEO is losing his mind during the past couple of months with wild ideas of having races almost anywhere in the world without even thinking what the drivers and teams will have
to go through in a single year. The only thing left for Bernie to say is that Formula 1 will be hosting a grand prix in Iraq or maybe Afghanistan, or how about Ecuador?
“At the moment it's only some rumours about some interest for some countries in Africa to organise a Formula One event but I don't see any opportunity in the next three to five years,” said the president of the FIA.
The former Ferrari boss made it clear that during his visit to Kenya, he felt that Africa is still well suited to host a round of the World Rally Championship but there is no chance of a Formula 1 grand prix happening there any time soon.
“Africa is a fantastic field to organise road racing. It could either be WRC or even the Cross Country,” Todt said.
Yes, one has to agree that expanding Formula 1 to many parts of the world is a good idea as the drivers and teams will have an entirely unique experience but they are also human beings and they have families for the love of God. They must be given some space
and some time off from the tracks. One should ask Bernie what he would do if he was bound to stay away from his family throughout the year.
“We are talking with promoters over the possibility to have long-stage rallies incorporated and we are looking at different opportunities to get the best solution from Africa, Europe, Asia and all over the world,” Todt added.
Let's just keep our fingers crossed that Jean Todt does not make any hasty decisions and that the FIA considers all the factors that can affect the sport before such ground-breaking decisions.
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