When Zanzibar started putting itself forward as a venue for the F1 Grand Prix, no one took it seriously, according to Sportface.it.
Its bid for the world-renowned motor race could be viewed in a different light now that South Africa (SA) has been removed from the bidding possibly due to its ties with Russia.
Although the Kyalami Circuit in Johannesburg is the readiest option, its attempts to reinstate F1 Grand Prix have met with failure. Its bid to host the Grand Prix there in 2022, after a 30-year absence, failed due to financial constraints.
According to iol.co.za, F1 has taken a strong stance against Russia due to the Russia-Ukraine war resulting in the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix. However, according to an interview with former South African world champion, Jody Schechter, in total-motorsport.com, F1 removed SA as a potential venue right before the deal-signing due to a “dramatic inflation of the final price tag.”
With the approval of the Tanzanian government, the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority is supporting an update of the infrastructure on the island to accommodate the F1.
This investment will cost up to US$500 million (R9,6 billion) and will include the construction of a 7km racetrack that will take four to six years to complete. Upon completion, the racetrack will be the longest motorsport track on the continent. The other developments include luxury hotels, a water park and natural parks with world-class tourist attractions and services. If things go to plan, Tanzania will become the second African country to secure the highly sought-after rights to host the event.
Tanzanian parliamentarian, Deputy Spokesperson for the project, Salim Turky, said : “It will be a game changer, not for the race itself, but because it will bring Africa and Zanzibar on to the world stage of tourism and services.”
The drive to rekindle motorsport in Africa is supported by esteemed figures in the racing community, including the former Italian F1 driver, Giancarlo Fisichella and multiple F1 title-winner, Lewis Hamilton, who are campaigning for the Grand Prix to return to the African continent.
