Race for the Return: Formula 1 Eyes a Thrilling Comeback to South Africa

Kyalami clears major hurdle for F1 comeback, but Cape Town isn’t backing down.

For the first time in over three decades, South Africans may once again hear the roar of Formula 1 engines on home soil. But the race to bring the world’s biggest motorsport event back to Mzansi is heating up—and it’s already down to two very different contenders: Gauteng’s legendary Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and a bold new street circuit in Cape Town.

Kyalami Gets the Green Light

The iconic Kyalami track, which hosted its last F1 Grand Prix in 1993 just before South Africa’s democratic transition, has now been given the thumbs-up from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to upgrade its facilities to Grade 1 the gold standard required to host Formula 1.

This is a monumental win for motorsport fans, and especially for the circuit’s owner, Toby Venter, who acquired Kyalami in 2014 with a vision to revive it as Africa’s flagship racing venue.

“When we bought Kyalami, we didn’t just want to preserve its legacy—we wanted to elevate it,” said Venter. “This latest approval brings that dream closer to reality.”

The upgrades won’t alter the track’s existing 4.5km layout but will focus on modern safety improvements: better run-off zones, barrier systems, debris fencing and drainage. It’s what Apex Circuit Design calls a “light-touch” engineering project—but one that makes a world of difference on the international stage.The Battle of the Bids: Kyalami vs Cape Town

While Kyalami may have the history and infrastructure, it doesn’t yet have the race.

Enter Cape Town.

The Cape Town Grand Prix SA (CTGPSA) is mounting a high-profile bid of its own, proposing a brand-new 5.7km street circuit around the picturesque Green Point precinct and DHL Stadium. It’s an ambitious vision—urban, vibrant, and tourism-friendly—that aligns perfectly with the global trend of city-based street races.

And it’s got the attention of Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who has made no secret of his desire to bring F1 back to South Africa. He set up a Bid Steering Committee to evaluate proposals and ensure the country’s return to the calendar is done right.

Economic High Stakes

Hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix is no small feat—but the rewards are massive.

North-West University economist Professor Waldo Krugell explains that events of this scale drive significant economic activity—from tourism and hospitality to infrastructure development and global media exposure.

Cape Town’s Formula E race in 2023, though much smaller in scale, injected over R1 billion into the economy. F1, with its massive international following and prestige, could triple that impact.

Add to that the global spotlight and the potential to attract investors and brands, and it’s clear why both cities—and the country are eager to make this happen.

A Return for the Continent

If South Africa successfully lands an F1 race, it would mark the sport’s return to the African continent—a symbolic and strategic move.

Africa is the only inhabited continent currently missing from the F1 calendar. For a sport pushing diversity, expanding markets, and building new fanbases, this represents a glaring gap.

And for South Africans, many of whom remember the golden era of Kyalami, a return would be more than just nostalgic. It would be a sign that the country can still host world-class events, still command global attention, and still be part of international motorsport history.

FIA’s stamp of approval gives Kyalami three years to complete its upgrades. But time is ticking, and Cape Town’s momentum is growing.

Whether it’s the sweeping curves of Kyalami or the dramatic turns of a Cape Town street circuit, South Africa is getting closer to reclaiming its place on the Formula 1 map.

And for fans, the biggest win would be hearing those V6 engines scream under African skies once again.

South Africa is on pole position to bring Formula 1 back to Africa, but whether it’s Gauteng’s motorsport heritage or Cape Town’s bold vision that wins the bid remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: the race has already begun.

{Source: BusinessTech}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com