South Africa’s bid to host a Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix is accelerating, and the contest has boiled down to two key contenders: Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg and a proposed new racing circuit in Cape Town.

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The process is entering its final week before interested stakeholders submit their Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI). This follows an extension granted by the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, in January to allow bidders more time to present well-structured and competitive proposals.

The Final Stretch

Bidding promoters across South Africa must submit their final expressions of interest by March 18, 2025, to be considered for the next phase of the selection process. Successful applicants will then be required to submit comprehensive proposals, marking the second phase in determining South Africa’s official bid to host an F1 Grand Prix.

Bakang Lethoko, Chairperson of the South African F1 Bid Steering Committee (BSC), expressed enthusiasm about the interest shown in the process so far. “Our commitment as a committee is to consider all qualifying submissions fairly and transparently, and we aim to deliver an outcome for this phase by the end of April 2025.”

Steering the Bid Forward

The BSC, comprising experts from legal, corporate, finance, media, motorsport, and public administration sectors, was introduced by McKenzie at a media briefing at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in December 2024. According to Lethoko, the team’s diverse skill set ensures that the bidding process is effectively managed and reflective of South Africa’s talent and expertise.

Interested parties must ensure that their submissions are sent via email as per the RFEOI guidelines before the deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.

Kyalami: The Established Favorite

Kyalami, located in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, is seen as the frontrunner, with the circuit deemed 90% ready for an F1 event. The track management has engaged Apex Circuit Design to create a roadmap for obtaining FIA Grade 1 accreditation, an essential requirement for hosting a Formula 1 race. Apex has estimated that the necessary upgrades will cost between $5 million and $10 million (R88.7M to R177.4M).

Toby Venter, the owner of Kyalami, has indicated that a detailed presentation outlining the planned upgrades, potential funding sources, and an implementation timeline will be presented to the FIA in the new year. “Kyalami is nearly race-ready, and we could host a Formula 1 event as early as 2027 or 2028,” Venter stated.

Cape Town: A Bold New Challenger

Despite Kyalami’s head start, Cape Town is pushing forward with an ambitious plan to develop a state-of-the-art circuit. Backed by Boundless Motorsport, an American-funded initiative with the support of the Western Cape Government, the proposed Boundless Cape Town Grand Prix Circuit aims to be a multi-purpose, dual-certified FIA and FIM facility.

The project envisions a brand-new, world-class venue near the city that would accommodate over 125,000 fans. Discussions are already underway with Formula One Management (FOM), MotoGP governing body DORNA, and South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to secure the necessary approvals.

The Growing F1 Fever

Interest in bringing Formula 1 back to South Africa has surged, particularly after Minister McKenzie met with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September 2024.

During a recent SA20 cricket match in Cape Town, McKenzie expressed his enthusiasm: “F1 is definitely coming. We are putting in our bid for 2027. It’s likely between Cape Town and Joburg. The competition is heating up, and both cities are presenting strong cases. Ultimately, my priority is ensuring the race happens in South Africa.”

The Road to 2027

McKenzie has emphasized that the goal is to have South Africa on the F1 calendar by 2027, with an optimistic possibility of an earlier decision by 2026. With the Dutch Grand Prix expected to drop off the calendar after 2026, speculation is rife that South Africa might fill that vacancy.

While hosting an F1 race comes with a hefty price tag—estimated at around R2 billion—McKenzie has assured that most of the funding will come from private investors, ensuring affordability for South African fans.

As the March 18 deadline approaches, the race between Kyalami and Cape Town continues to intensify. Both locations offer compelling cases, and the final decision could shape the future of motorsport in South Africa for decades to come.