F1’s Return To SA Gains Momentum With Kyalami Upgrades Announced

The first step toward bringing the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit up to the World Motorsport Federation (FIA) standards needed to host a Formula 1 race in South Africa for the first time since 1993 has been taken. Currently, no F1 race is held on the African continent.

On Wednesday, 31 October, the circuit’s owners announced that they have enlisted Apex Circuit Design (Apex) to “prepare a roadmap for FIA Grade 1 accreditation.”

McKenzie’s Ambitious Goal To Bring F1 To SA

A return of F1 to South Africa has been under consideration in recent years, and in early 2024, the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Gayton McKenzie, expressed his commitment to bringing the sport to the country. In an interview with Gauteng.net in July 2024, McKenzie said, “Bringing Formula 1 to South Africa would generate significant revenue, create employment opportunities, and showcase our beautiful country to millions of viewers worldwide.”

The 50-year-old has since met with F1’s leadership, including F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September 2024, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. McKenzie’s campaign has involved outreach to both government and private sectors for support, with funding as a central issue.

According to Statista.com, hosting an F1 race could cost as much as R1 billion, with Azerbaijan reportedly paying a $57 million (roughly R1 billion) hosting fee in 2023. Public funding is likely to be necessary to help secure F1’s return to South Africa, and McKenzie appears to have the support of Gauteng Premier Mr. Panyaza Lesufi. Lesufi was pictured with the Minister and Kyalami’s owner, Toby Venter, at the announcement.

SA’s F1 Race Unlikely For Cape Town

Kyalami has confirmed it is working with Apex, “an award-winning motorsport engineering consultancy responsible for the design and delivery of the world’s best racetracks.”

To host a Grand Prix, the track must achieve FIA Grade 1 accreditation, which requires improvements to safety features such as the run-off areas. On Wednesday, McKenzie received updates on plans to obtain this accreditation, marking a significant step forward, especially given his previous interest in building a track near Cape Town to host F1.

Venter and Apex have pushed for Gauteng to host the event, backed by both national and provincial governments.

The Possibility Of F1’s Return To South Africa

South Africa has hosted numerous major sporting events, including the football and cricket world cups. Some of F1’s top drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, have expressed support for a South African race, adding momentum to the bid. With 2027 as a potential start date, F1’s return to South Africa is looking more feasible than ever.