F1 champion explains where South African GP deal failed: 'They got greedy'

It has long been quiet around a possible return of Formula 1 to South Africa. Former F1 driver Jody Sheckter reveals that the sport was very close to a return, but he now sees things a lot less sunny for Kyalami.

South African Scheckter, who became world champion with Ferrari in 1979, says he was closely involved in the process. "It was that close," the former F1 driver told Total-Motorsport.com. However, when it looked like a deal was approaching, the organiser at Kyalami became too greedy, according to Scheckter.

How F1 deal with Kyalami fell through

"“F1 came over to sign. He had got government backing, some of the wealthiest people in South Africa behind it. Everything was in place, and the guy from Kyalami got greedy. Just as soon as F1 left, he changed the whole thing completely. The government realised there was a fight [going on] and withdrew, and that was the end," Scheckter explains.

Jody's cousin Warren Scheckter is the big loser of the stalled deal, according to the F1 champion. "My nephew had been working on it for six years, nearly full time," he continued. "Because going [through the] government and getting [their support] and for them all to agree to put some budget in and then to secure the money. It takes a massive amount [of effort]. All of a sudden, it was over, and he was left with nothing."

Whether the return to South Africa will eventually happen, Scheckter dares not to say. What is clear is that the work of finding backers can start again from scratch. It will therefore be quite a task to succeed in this before the 2024 F1 season, as there are more hijackers on the coast for that coveted spot on the calendar.