According to the Times, Nigeria is interested in hosting the F1 Grand Prix, and the company of former Premier League player Malvin Sodel is leading the bidding plan.
report stated that Nigeria has become the latest country to contact the F1 official about hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Africa. Opus Race Promotions, which is co-CEO of former Watford and Burnley striker Sodel, is leading a proposal that has received "initial support" from the Nigerian government.
In addition to building a track in the capital Abuja, the proposal also promises infrastructure such as a kart track, hotels, a technical center and a motorsports museum.
In April this year, the promotion company was invited to Nigeria and demonstrated its idea of hosting an F1 event in Abuja to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission.
After a month, the promotion company was officially designated to represent the Nigerian government in negotiations with F1 and the FIA, the governing body of the sport. F1 CEO Domenicari has been invited by the promotion company to visit Abuja for a field trip to the project.
As F1's influence grows, many countries have expressed interest in hosting competitions, but F1 senior executives are reluctant to expand the calendar to beyond the 24 games they have so far. Rwanda and South Africa have previously expressed their willingness to host the F1 Grand Prix, but these two applications have not made significant progress in recent months.
South Africa held F1 competitions between 1967 and 1993, and the Cayalami Raceway north of Johannesburg was the venue for 23 F1 Grand Prixes. The seven-time champion Hamilton also emphasized last year that he personally hopes to hold a game in Africa: "We cannot add new games elsewhere, while continuing to ignore Africa - the whole world only knows to ask for anything from Africa, but no one gives Africa anything."
Nigerian National Sports Commission Chairman Xie Hu Diko said: "We are exploring all possibilities and striving to bring F1 to Nigeria as soon as possible - not just a sporting event, but also a way to promote tourism and infrastructure construction. , catalysts for youth participation and economic development and even to enhance Nigeria's soft power, this vision is consistent with our President Bora Tinub's vision of 'renewing hope and common prosperity'. '
For now, the new member who is most likely to join the F1 calendar in the short to medium term is Thailand, whose government has approved a funding of US$1.2 billion (about £890 million) for the expected race in Bangkok, a street track that may debut as early as 2028.
source:2vn 7m