Formula One will not be returning to South Africa after the province of Gauteng decided against bidding to host a Grand Prix.
Earlier in the year reports had suggested that the Gauteng Motor Sport Company, established by the provincial government, had enlisted the services of an independent analyst to perform an economic-impact study on the region.
However, it has been reported in South African media that such proposals have now been dropped by the Gauteng government.
According to the state-owned broadcaster SABC, Gauteng Economic Development minister Firoz Cachalia has said that the money will now be used for job creation and not to fund a Formula One race.
Formula One last visited South Africa in 1993 for the opening round of the season at Kyalami. The race was won by Alain Prost.
