Landmark SportPesa, DStv Partnership Brings Formula 1 Alive In Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya- Formula 1 viewing in Kenya will never be the same again if the roaring success of the first-ever activation brought by the formidable partnership between technology and entertainment business SportPesa and video entertainment provider MultiChoice Kenya through their DStv brand is anything to go by.

Media, entertainment celebrities and captains of industry joined devoted local Formula 1 fans and other local petrol heads to watch Sunday’s Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the popular Kengeles Lavington restaurant in Nairobi in a one-of-a-kind-party that left everyone involved yearning for more.

“MultiChoice Kenya’s mission is to deliver value to our customers by making great entertainment more accessible. 

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 “We find and develop the right mix of content for our sporting fans. This time we are activating F1 since we realise there is a thriving local audience in search of the motor sport thrill and we thank SportPesa for the fruitful partnership,” Simon Kariithi, the GOtv Kenya General Manager Simon Kariithi noted.

The sizzling Bahrain action that saw Formula 1 champion, Lewis Hamilton- much to the delight of his and Mercedes AMG Petronas fans- lead teammate Valteri Bottas to the 1-2 at the expense of Ferrari youngster, Charles Leclerc created a cracking atmosphere and great spectacle.

Away from the big boys, the crowd wildly cheered whenever they caught sight of the pink and blue SportPesa Racing Point Formula 1 Team cars in celebrating the fact a business with roots in Kenya could plant its name on the mast of the most prestigious motor racing competition in the world.

A Ferrari fan looks disappointed during the screening of the Bahrain GP brought by SportPesa and DStv in Nairobi on Sunday, March 31, 2019. PHOTO/Duncan Sirma/SPN 

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Starting from 14th on the grid, SportPesa Racing driver, Sergio Perez, worked his way and eventually finish 10th to earn a point for the rejuvenated team during a dramatic race that kept fans on the edge of their seats from lights out to the flag.

Chequered flag

Invited guests started arriving to the venue as early as 3pm local time (+3GMT), some three hours before the start of the race and by the time they left long after the chequered flag, the mix between high octane sporting action and rich entertainment proved to be a winner.

“This experience is very good. Bringing sports journalists and Formula 1 fans together will help us understand the sport even better. We always talk of football, athletics and rugby but there are other sports out there with devoted fans.

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“Our fans and journalists need to understand other sports. SportPesa should have launched this event a long time ago to introduce Kenyans to sports they have never watched,” Mike Okinyi, a senior sports editor and anchor at Citizen TV said as the dust settled on the thrilling second Formula 1 race of the season. 

“You saw Ferrari were the hottest guys from the start but they pushed their vehicles so hard and burst their turbos. 

“Mercedes played cool and executed their tactics well and in the end, they took the win. Having unveiled their landmark deal with Racing Point, SportPesa should now take Formula 1 to Kenyans,” Okinyi who is a veteran of NTV and KTN local channels added.

“It was an amazing experience, the whole atmosphere, everything especially for the motor sport community to get here. We know Formula 1 because motor sport is in our blood and it is a rush and all that adrenaline.

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“Of course, Kenyans are aware of motor sports and such events will go a long way in bringing fans to the sport,” five-time Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) Formula 2 champion, Leo Varese of the SportPesa Racing Team stated after watching the breathless Bahrain Grand Prix.

Emotional cocktail

His navigator, Kigondu Kareithi was also present as the pair prepare for the third round of the KNRC in May.

After going through a cocktail of high and low emotions, Mercedes super fan and famous local dance hall artiste, Kevin ‘Love Child’ Wyre, hailed the initiative.

“I was a bit stressed but they came through in the end. It was exciting watching Formula One with the crowd not in the digz (home) alone.

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“This should happen more often most people don't know about F1 and it could be an in thing with the right crowd. It was amazing and historic to see the SportPesa brand up there,” the ‘Nakupenda Pia’ and ‘Kingston Girl’ hit maker remarked.

Apart from those thrilled by speed, the event also attracted leaders from other sporting disciplines among them Jack Oguda, the CEO of the Kenyan Premier League and former Kenya Rugby Union vice-chairman, Sasha Mutai.

Ecstatic Formula 1 fans cheer during the screening of the Bahrain GP by SportPesa and DStv at Kengeles Restaurant, Lavington on March 31, 2019. PHOTO/Duncan Sirma/SPN

“Being a sporting event, I think Kenyans like a lot of sports and SportPesa venturing into Formula 1 is good to see a Kenyan company growing it's support in sport and the interest it has brought to the country in Formula 1. The atmosphere was great,” Oguda underscored. 

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“It’s really good and also great SportPesa Racing got points today. I come here every day, best place to watch this, do more activations and build up for the next one,” Mutai added.