Ecclestone has pursued a relentless expansion programme in recent years, concentrating primarily on countries where tobacco advertising is not banned. India is scheduled to stage its first grand prix in 2011, with the United States returning to the calendar in 2012.
“[Africa] is another continent where we should be,” Ecclestone told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek's programme. “We have been talking to the people in South Africa for quite a long time off and on. The chances are OK. It's a case of getting the right venue always.
“We've been talking to the people in Cape Town. There are one or two places that could happen and are coming on quite strong. We're talking about building a circuit. It's probably about three years away. That's what I would like to see. I would hope so. I've been hoping that for five years.
“Hopefully what the World Cup has done for Africa, people will think it will be good for Formula One to be there.”
Ecclestone said however that getting a foothold in Russia was more important at the present time. Two years ago Ecclestone met the governor of St Petersburg to discuss the possible building of a new circuit on the outskirts of the city, after a previous plan to stage a race in Moscow came to nothing.
