Vietnam And South African Grand Prix Could Feature In 2024 F1 Calendar
Vietnam and South Africa are strong contenders to join the Formula One World Championship in 2024. With Stefano Domenicali wanting to extend the number of events to at least 25 for the upcoming season, these two countries could be getting ready to make their mark on the racing world.
The chances of Vietnam getting back on the Formula One circuit have suddenly gone up, with news that Stefano Domenicali made a pitstop in Hanoi on his way down to Australia. This would mark the first-ever Grand Prix for Vietnam after the 2020 race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Domenicali had his top negotiator, Luis Garcia Abad, by his side, and they met with Vietnam's President, Prime Minister, and Mayor of Hanoi to potentially secure a spot in the 2024 calendar. While they're keeping quiet about the details of their negotiations, there's been a recent upswing in motorsports in the country.
The permanent part of the circuit that was going to host the first Vietnamese Grand Prix finally hosted an event in December 2020, and plans are in the works to start running additional competitions there. So it seems like Vietnam's appetite for motor racing is back and stronger than ever.
Meanwhile, South Africa is also gearing up for a big return to the Formula One calendar after 31 years. While private investors failed to reach an agreement with the racing behemoth to get the Grand Prix back on the calendar this year, the government has stepped up to the plate and agreed to pay the $50 million in promoters' fees to bring the event back to Kyalami.
And with an expected economic impact of over $250 million, the South African government is making a wise investment in bringing the race back to the outskirts of Johannesburg. The safety of Kyalami's last corner, which requires some significant work to get the track up to par with FIA regulations, is the last issue to be solved for the potential South African Grand Prix.