South Africa’s dreams of hosting a Formula 1 race took a bold step forward as the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit secured approval for major upgrades that would make it the continent’s only track eligible for F1.
The announcement has ignited excitement within motorsport circles across the country and reignited a long-standing ambition to return Africa to the F1 calendar. But not everyone is celebrating.
Toby Venter, owner of the Kyalami circuit and Porsche South Africa boss, confirmed that between $5 and $10 million will be poured into renovations over the next three years. The investment is aimed at securing FIA Grade 1 compliance, the green light needed to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix. The circuit currently holds a Grade 2 license, which disqualifies it from hosting the top-tier racing series.
‘When we took over in 2014, we wanted to restore Kyalami not just for South Africa but as a flagship for motorsport on the entire continent,’ said Venter. ‘The FIA’s approval of our Grade 1 layout is a major milestone.’
The upgrades are expected to cost between R100 million and R180 million and will be privately funded, as per Daily News. This was confirmed by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who clarified that the government would not be footing the bill.
Venter’s financial commitment stands in contrast to rising tensions elsewhere in the race to host F1 in South Africa. In Cape Town, Grand Prix CEO Igshaan Amlay voiced his anger after his bid was dismissed for failing to pay an R10 million Expression of Interest fee. Amlay described the fee as excessive and opaque, claiming that the lack of transparency undermined fair competition between bidders.
‘A flawed process can kill the momentum we’ve built,’ Amlay stated. ‘We’re not withdrawing, we’re still keen to host a race, but it must be through a fair, transparent, and equitable process.’
The Formula 1 Bid Steering Committee (BSC) acknowledged the complaints but maintained that their evaluation process was nearing conclusion. A full report detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the three submitted bids will soon be handed to Minister McKenzie. According to BSC spokesperson Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase, the report will also identify the preferred promoter.
Despite the friction, the BSC said the news of Kyalami’s FIA approval was encouraging. The development marks a tangible step toward bringing Formula 1 back to Africa, a dream that has remained out of reach since the last South African Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1993.
If successful, the circuit would not only elevate South Africa’s presence on the global motorsport stage but also potentially stimulate the local economy through tourism, jobs and infrastructure development.
However, even with Kyalami’s track upgrades underway, there’s no guarantee the circuit will win the final nod to host Formula 1. As bidding drama continues and questions about fairness swirl, South Africa’s F1 dreams hang in the balance, balanced between private ambition, public scrutiny and the politics of international sport.
For now, Kyalami speeds ahead, but it’s anyone’s guess who’ll cross the finish line first.
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Picture: Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit / Facebook
