Reported from Kyalami by Michele Lupini

Nathan to Meet Ecclestone Following speculation earlier in the week regarding Kyalami’s Selwyn Nathan meeting Bernie Ecclestone regarding a South African Grand Prix this year, Nathan confirmed today he was indeed meeting with Ecclestone next week. Nathan leaves Sunday on his trip, but although the meeting’s agenda is scheduled to cover motorsport business other than a Grand Prix at Kyalami, Mr. Nathan felt it was not out of the question the subject of a SAGP would come up during his discussions with the FIA. Questioned on timing, should a Kyalami be requested to take up the Argentina date of 21 March, Nathan said that would be all but impossible task to achieve, especially in the light of the circuit hosting the World Superbike opener only one week later. He did not totally dismiss a grand prix date later in the year however, but again added that at this stage he had no indication at all that the FIA was even interested in a date at Kyalami. Any news of the outcome of Nathan’s meeting with the FIA, will however be awaited with some trepidation by SA F1 fans, especially after the taste some 70 000 South Africans had of F1 during testing there earlier in the week.

Credit: Michele Lupini, South Africa