Three ambitious bids aim to bring Formula 1 back to South Africa, as the country revs up for a grand racing revival.
After more than three decades, Formula 1 could soon be making a long-awaited return to South Africa — and the competition to host it is heating up.
As the March 18 deadline passed, three serious proposals emerged, with Kyalami and two bids from Cape Town now vying for the chance to bring the world’s most prestigious motorsport event back to African soil. The move is seen as South Africa’s response to Rwanda’s growing ambitions to host the continent’s first Grand Prix in modern history.
South Africa’s last F1 race was in 1993 at the legendary Kyalami circuit — a race won by Alain Prost in a Williams-Renault. Now, the country is gearing up for a comeback.
To lead the charge, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has appointed a team of experts to oversee the national F1 bid. Their mission: choose the best city and circuit to present to Formula 1’s leadership and the FIA.
“Hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix would boost our economy, grow tourism, and elevate South Africa as a global sports destination,” said McKenzie. “The extended deadline gave all applicants time to submit truly world-class proposals.”
While McKenzie’s office has remained tight-lipped on how many proposals were officially received, one thing is clear — Kyalami is still the frontrunner.
The historic track, just north of Johannesburg, already holds an FIA Grade 2 license and is reportedly “90% ready” for F1, according to owner Toby Venter. In 2023, Kyalami partnered with Apex Circuit Design to develop a roadmap for upgrading to FIA Grade 1 certification, estimating the cost at between $5 million and $10 million.
But Cape Town is coming in strong with not one, but two independent bids.
The first is led by Cape Town Grand Prix SA (CTGPSA), who want to bring F1 to the city’s picturesque 5.7 km street circuit — the same one that successfully hosted Formula E in 2023. Winding through the scenic Green Point area and past the iconic DHL Stadium, the proposal leverages Cape Town’s global tourism appeal.
A second, separate Cape Town bid is backed by U.S.-based Boundless Motorsport. Their plan? Build a brand-new, FIA-certified circuit near the city, with capacity for over 125,000 fans. The project is being spearheaded by South African Bobby Hartslief — a veteran motorsport promoter who once ran the Kyalami Grand Prix and later the MotoGP event at Phakisa.
The decision on which proposal will move forward now lies with South Africa’s bid committee. But no matter the outcome, the race is officially on — and Formula 1’s return to Africa feels closer than ever.
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South Africa’s F1 Comeback: Cape Town vs Kyalami
South Africa’s F1 Comeback: Cape Town vs Kyalami
