F1: Bernie Ecclestone wants race in Africa

Formula One magnate Bernie Ecclestone says he wants to see the sport debut in Africa and has put pressure on the German Grand Prix after it was cancelled last season

Berlin: Formula One magnate Bernie Ecclestone says he wants to see the sport debut in Africa and has put pressure on the German Grand Prix after it was cancelled last season.

Bernie Ecclestone

In an interview with Hamburg-based newspaper Handelsblatt, Ecclestone says he has had conversations about taking Formula One to Africa and is also toying with holding a second Grand Prix in America with Austin, Texas, hosting the US Grand Prix on October 23. "I would like to see a race in Africa, where we so far have never raced," said the 85-year-old.

"The first conversations have already taken place and perhaps one more race in the US, let’s see."

After a one-year absence, Formula One racing will return to Germany again this summer when Hockenheim hosts a Grand Prix on July 31, but Ecclestone says the Germans have ground to make up.

Last year’s race at Nurburgring, which is scheduled to host again in 2017, was cancelled due to contractual problems and Ecclestone says Hockenheim, which could not host the 2015 race, has much to live up to. "We wanted Hockenheim to wake up a little last year. They’re still living 20," said Ecclestone

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