Sport

Cape Town rules out F1 race

12 Mar, 2013

Cape Town has ruled out the idea of Formula One (F1) racing at the Cape Town Stadium after councillors deemed the project too expensive.

Over the last two years the city has received 11 proposals for major racing events, including a plan by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone to host a Cape Town race in 2014.

Most of the proposals involved using Cape Town Stadium or the affluent Sea Point suburb but councillors have voted against the use of both places.

Only two of the 11 proposals will be considered: the City Challenge and the GI Racing Green.

The City Challenge would showcase new electric or gas-powered vehicles and its proposed circuit is outside a residential area and would require an input of R2 million from the city.

The G1 Racing Green would also involve electric cars, to be held either at the Athlone Stadium or V&A Waterfront. It is reported that Athlone Stadium is the preferred venue of the city’s tourism authorities.