South Africa’s decision to extend its deadline for Formula 1 race bids has cast fresh doubt on the return of the historic Kyalami circuit.
Though many modern F1 fans won’t remember it, Kyalami was once a near-permanent fixture on the calendar, hosting the South African Grand Prix from 1967 to 1985 to 1992 to 1993.
With interest in F1 now hitting new heights, owner Liberty Media has encouraged bids to return to the African continent and reestablish the series as a true World Championship. Lewis Hamilton has been particularly vocal in his support for a return to Africa, but as the race for a precious slot on the calendar heats up, it’s looking like South Africa is in danger of missing out.
With interest in F1 now hitting new heights, owner Liberty Media has encouraged bids to return to the African continent and reestablish the series as a true World Championship. Lewis Hamilton has been particularly vocal in his support for a return to Africa, but as the race for a precious slot on the calendar heats up, it’s looking like South Africa is in danger of missing out.
Rwanda and Zanzibar are starting to double down on their own efforts, and the South African government’s deadline extension suggests there's still much work to be done on the Kyalami bid.
In a statement, South Africa’s Ministry of Sport said the move was designed “to give stakeholders additional time to submit comprehensive, well-structured proposals in line with RFEOI requirements."
It added: "The Ministry urges stakeholders to use this opportunity to support South Africa’s Formula 1 ambitions."
Is Kyalami in danger of missing out?
Soon after Kyalami, or “My Home” in Zulu, opened in 1961, it became synonymous with top-tier motorsport. With a mix of technical sections and excellent overtaking opportunities off a long back straight, the circuit hosted several exciting grand prix in F1 and beyond.
During its initial 18-year stint as an F1 venue, Kyalami often became a focal point for international criticism of apartheid in South Africa, but the circuit itself almost always delivered.
South Africa also has a strong racing pedigree of its own, producing drivers like 1979 F1 champion Jody Scheckter. As such, when the issue of returning to Africa first reared its head, the country seemed like the obvious choice.
However, it now seems to be losing ground to its competitors. At last year's F1 Awards ceremony, President Paul Kagame announced a bid to bring F1 to Rwanda, which is now being treated “with seriousness and commitment.” In fact, Rwandan race promoters are already reported to be working with former driver Alexander Wurz on plans to build a new track near Bugesera airport.
Zanzibar’s bid is also gathering pace. The country’s officials are understood to be planning a complex, complete with an expo center and luxury marina, around a 7.6 km circuit — which would be the longest in F1 history, and provide stiff competition for Kyalami.
However, it now seems to be losing ground to its competitors. At last year's F1 Awards ceremony, President Paul Kagame announced a bid to bring F1 to Rwanda, which is now being treated “with seriousness and commitment.” In fact, Rwandan race promoters are already reported to be working with former driver Alexander Wurz on plans to build a new track near Bugesera airport.
Zanzibar’s bid is also gathering pace. The country’s officials are understood to be planning a complex, complete with an expo center and luxury marina, around a 7.6 km circuit — which would be the longest in F1 history, and provide stiff competition for Kyalami.
Hamilton: No excuse for Africa absence
Since acquiring the rights to F1 in 2017, Liberty Media has overseen a significant expansion of its calendar, particularly in the US, which now hosts three separate grand prix.
Amid efforts to capitalize on the series’ growing popularity around the world, Hamilton has called for an immediate return to Africa, which already has a race-ready venue: Kyalami.
He said: “We can't be adding races in other locations and continue to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa.
“I think having a grand prix there, it would really be able to highlight just how great the place is and bring in tourism and all sorts of things. Why are we not on that continent? And the current excuse is that there's not a track that's ready, but there is at least one track that's ready there.
“In the short term, we should just get on that track and have that part of the calendar and then work on building out something moving forward.”
But, if Liberty’s other additions to the calendar are anything to go by, Kyalami’s rich history and readiness to host a race might not be enough to secure a slot on the calendar.
But, if Liberty’s other additions to the calendar are anything to go by, Kyalami’s rich history and readiness to host a race might not be enough to secure a slot on the calendar.
The Saudi, Qatar, Miami, and Las Vegas Grand Prix venues were all built from scratch. With the likes of Spa also being rotated in and out from 2028, and fresh doubt emerging about Monza’s future, it seems that preserving F1's heritage isn’t the number-one priority right now. (Quotes by motorsport.com)
Latest News
Loading
