The City of Cape Town has put the brakes on the idea of hosting a F1 grand prix due to the "huge" financial costs.
Earlier this week Bernie Ecclestone singled out Cape Town as a city that he would like to see on the Formula One calendar.
"If I had the choice I would like to go back to South Africa," the F1 supremo told City A.M.
"I want to be in Cape Town. I have been offered Durban but I think we would be better off in Cape Town."
Cape Town officials, though, have ruled out the idea.
"We are not in favour of it because of the huge cost implications to the city," tourism, events and marketing director Anton Groenewald told the Cape Times.
The city, which has received 11 proposals for motor racing series in the last two years, is considering two events; the City Challenge Cape Town, which is a street race showcasing new technology, using electric power or gas and the G1 Racing Green, which is raced with electric cars.
The Athlone Stadium or Waterfront are being touted as possible venues as the Cape Town Stadium has been ruled out.
"We have to distribute events throughout the city," said Groenewald. "With all the events at the stadium, we cannot have the same community being continually subjected to noise and traffic."
