has grow to be the newest African nation to declare an curiosity in internet hosting a race, with ex-Premier League participant Marvin Sordell fronting the bid.
F1 at present hosts a race on each liveable continent other than Africa, with the final iteration going down 32 years in the past through the 1993 South African Grand Prix on the Kyalami Circuit outdoors Johannesburg.
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But now, South Africa (with Kyalami and vying to host), and have all introduced their intention to launch a bid.
Now, Nigeria have joined the listing, with Opus Race Promotions eyeing a brand new circuit within the capital of Abuja, alongside a karting observe, lodges and a motorsport museum.
Ex-Burnley and Bolton ahead Sordell, who additionally performed for Nice Britain on the London 2012 Olympics, is co-chief government of the promotional firm which has now been formally appointed to barter on behalf of the Nigerian authorities with F1 and the FIA.
A report in states that the bid has “early assist” from the Nigerian authorities.
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F1 chief government , who has made it identified his want to host a race as soon as once more in Africa, has been invited to go to Abuja to try the challenge.
Shehu Dikko, chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee in Nigeria, mentioned: “We’re exploring all prospects to convey Formulation 1 to Nigeria as quickly as practicable.
“Not simply as a sporting occasion, however as a catalytic driver of tourism, infrastructure improvement, youth engagement, financial system and certainly gentle energy for Nigeria.
“This imaginative and prescient aligns with the Renewed Hope and Shared Prosperity imaginative and prescient of our president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Marvin Sordell, 34, performed for Nice Britain on the 2012 London Olympics (Getty Photos)
Seven-time world champion has beforehand insisted the game should make an African grand prix a precedence. Talking final yr, the Ferrari driver mentioned: “We are able to’t be including races in different areas and persevering with to disregard Africa, which the remainder of the world simply takes from.
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“Nobody provides something to Africa.”
The race calendar is at present set at 24 races – a determine F1 nor the drivers are eager to extend.
But the shall be wiped from the calendar after subsequent yr’s occasion, with Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium transferring to a biennial deal in 2028, probably paving the best way for a brand new race.
Different events to host a race embody Thailand (with a Bangkok avenue circuit within the works), South Korea and Argentina.