MSA Anton Roux appointed to FIA
We have the capabilities to host a Formula 1 race in South Africa.
Motorsport in South Africa and Africa has received a significant boost with the appointment of MSA chairperson Anton Roux to the senate of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
Roux was nominated by the FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and elected to the senate on February 21, almost exactly three years after his election as the chairperson of Motorsport South Africa (MSA).
He is one of four new members of the highest authority of the FIA, and he joins notable other businesspeople and motorsport specialists, including the Toyota Global president, Akio Toyoda, Carlos Slim of Mexico, and His Royal Highness Faisal Al Hussein of Jordan.
“It is a singular honour to be elected to the senate of the FIA. As the only African on the senate, I fully realise my responsibility to use this position, not only to serve global motorsport, but advance the motorsport interests of our continent,” said Roux.
“I have been tasked to bring my knowledge of audit, risk and compliance to bear on the future management of the FIA and have made it known that I will use the opportunity to develop motorsport beyond South Africa’s borders and fight for the inclusion of Africa on the Formula 1 calendar.”
As part of these goals, Roux is personally supporting a new karting series for Africans that will travel across the continent to grow the interest in the sport and identify talented racers for further development.
“In our initial research, we have found clubs and tracks in countries such as Namibia, Kenya and even Madagascar. I firmly believe that this new karting series will help grow our beloved sport of motor racing across the continent,” said Roux.
He is equally passionate about bringing Formula 1 racing to South Africa.
“We have the capabilities to host a Formula 1 race in South Africa.
“Research conducted by Motorsport South Africa as early as the ’90s has shown that the income from tourism, VAT and the general marketing of South Africa outstrips the investment in the sport by many multiples. I am confident that we will see the pinnacle of motorsport returning to South Africa soon,” said Roux.
Roux will remain the chairperson of MSA. He will also support the work of fellow Africans on various MSA councils, such as Rodrigo Rocha of Mozambique (vice president, World Motorsport Council), Amina Mohamed (Kenya), titular member of the World Motorsport Council, and Dr Greg Mills (SA), member of the FIA Historic Commission.
“We now have a unique opportunity as a continent to advance our interests in the audience of the FIA president and fellow global senate members and I fully commit to doing just that during my term,” said Roux.
