After the defense of the Spanish against the seven-time champion in Hungary led many to recall old clashes between them, now they fight a new battle, albeit political in this case. And it is that, after Formula 1 announced that in 2022 the longest World Cup in history will be played, both Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton will have to fight if they want to incorporate a new appointment at 23 that will have the calendar. In the case of the Alpine rider, he wants a second Grand Prix in Spain . The Mercedes, meanwhile, struggles to bring Formula 1 to South Africa.
In his campaign for the African continent to host Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton noted: “ The place that I really feel from the bottom of my heart that I must return is South Africa . I think there is a large following there and it would be great to be able to highlight how beautiful the country is. “
On the possibility of Formula 1 returning to South Africa, where the Johannesburg track already hosted this sport between 1967 and 1993 , Stefano Domenicali commented: “We have many requests to host a Grand Prix. More and more governments see us as an opportunity to develop their businesses, their local economy and the conscience of their community ”.
“ We have reached a point where we can choose where Formula 1 will go . Exciting times are ahead ”, added the CEO of F1.
Hamilton advocates for South Africa and Alonso for Spain
And if the leaders can choose where they will go to Formula 1 , Fernando Alonso advocates two Grand Prix in Spain, something that has not happened since 2022 when, in addition to Barcelona, it was also raced in Valencia. And it is that the Ángel Nieto Circuit of Jerez de la Frontera, is the first reservation of the 2022 calendar. This was revealed by Juan Marín, vice president of the Junta de Andalucía and Minister of Tourism.
“ We are at number one as a reserve. The moment a World Cup event falls, we can enter ”, he stated during the World Travel Market tourism fair, which is being held in London. According to Juan Marín, the Junta de Andalucía has the ” availability to face ” the ” reformulation of the design ” of the Jerez circuit, with an investment of between 3 and 5 million euros.
When questioned about it, Fernando Alonso declared: “ I saw the Jerez story in the news and hopefully we will have two Grand Prix in Spain . We already had them in their day with Valencia and Barcelona and the more in the country the better for everyone, because of everything that Formula 1 moves ”.
“ It is also very special for the fans, given that they have another opportunity to travel to the circuits and experience a Grand Prix live . Hopefully ”, he added after being chosen as the Best Athlete of 2019 by the Association of the Sports Press of the Principality of Asturias.
F1 puts pressure on Barcelona with Jerez
It should be noted that Formula 1 is putting pressure on Catalonia with Jerez. As we have in OKDIARIO, the leaders of the Gran Circo are demanding from the consortium formed by the Generalitat, the RACC (Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia), Montmeló City Council and Barcelona City Council an immediate investment of 80 million euros in the tracing.
The circuit has not been renewed since 1991 , the date of its premiere. The facilities, for example, remain as they were three decades ago, with no 5G connection available. Formula 1 also requires the creation of areas for leisure and meeting with fans.
In Montmeló they are willing to undertake this investment as long as Formula 1 guarantees them that they will remain on the calendar, at least until 2027 . Liberty Media, for its part, prefers to review the 22 million euro canon that Catalonia pays from time to time.
What is clear is that the fans would not forgive that Formula 1 erased Spain from the calendar with Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, and the sponsors they both manage, on the grid. If they could tolerate the Great Circus moving from Barcelona to Jerez, and that is what Liberty Media is playing with so that in Montmeló they undertake the aforementioned investment.
As regards Jerez, it hosted the Spanish Grand Prix from 1986 to 1990 ; and that of Europe in 1994 and 1997 , years in which it was also run in Catalonia. Precisely the last time that Formula 1 was contested on the Andalusian circuit, Michael Schumacher was disqualified, which made the World Championship go to the hands of Jacques Villeneuve since it was the last race.
