Bernie Ecclestone says he is close to agreeing a deal which could see the South African Grand Prix return to the F1 calendar as early as next year.
A return for South Africa has been a long-time target of Ecclestone’s, with the last grand prix in the country held at the Kyalami circuit in 1993. Previous plans centred on Cape Town, with 2010 World Cup venues included as part of the circuit, but failed to come to fruition.
However, talks have continued and Ecclestone now says he feels there is “a good chance” the race can be given the go-ahead, revealing that the target is to include include South Africa on next year's calendar.
"I've been looking to go back to South Africa for a long time, and now we have a good chance,” Ecclestone told the Press Association. "They're getting on with it. We're hoping to be back in 2016, but we will have a look and see. We'll see how we get on."
The 2016 calendar is already set to see the addition of a grand prix in Azerbaijan, while Mexico is another returning venue on this year’s schedule of 20 races.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
