US-backed Cape Town Grand Prix bid for Formula 1 return to Africa

The proposed Boundless Cape Town Grand Prix Circuit will be a newly built, FIA- and FIM-certified multi-purpose facility designed to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, among other major motorsport events. The venue is expected to accommodate more than 125,000 spectators and will be the home of South Africa's Grand Prix.

The broader Boundless Entertainment Complex will feature a major conference and community centre, retail and hospitality spaces, an amphitheatre for concerts and outdoor events, and various community-oriented functions. The circuit will also offer RV, caravan, and camping facilities to cater to diverse fan needs.

Boundless Motorsport emphasised the strategic location of the venue, which will provide iconic views of Table Bay, Robben Island, Cape Town Harbour, and Table Mountain. The circuit will be accessible by car, bus, and rail, with multiple entry points and ample parking.

The Cape Town Grand Prix bid is led by US-based Boundless Racing, with full support from the Western Cape Government. The event will be organised by Race Makers, a multinational team comprising local and international Formula 1, motorsport, and event-planning experts.

Proposals are in place with FOM, the commercial rights owners of Formula 1, MotoGP governing body DORNA, as well as the South African Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (Formula 1 Bid Steering Committee, with the tacit support of senior officials from the Western Cape Provincial Government.

The organisers have outlined their goal of presenting an independent, financially viable, and competitive bid to bring Formula 1 to Cape Town. Boundless Motorsport stated that the proposed circuit will exceed all Formula 1 and FIA requirements, ensuring a world-class annual South African Grand Prix in the city.

The race became part of the official Formula 1 World Championship in 1962, initially hosted at East London’s Prince George Circuit before moving to Kyalami in 1967.

Kyalami, located near Johannesburg, became synonymous with the South African Grand Prix, hosting races until 1985. The circuit saw legendary victories, including Jim Clark’s three wins, Jackie Stewart’s triumphs, and Niki Lauda’s comeback victory in 1984. It was also the site of Jody Scheckter’s rise, the only South African to win an F1 World Championship (1979).

The event was absent from the calendar from 1986 to 1991, due to apartheid-related sanctions. After South Africa’s reintegration into global sport, the race returned to Kyalami in 1992 and 1993. The final Grand Prix, won by Alain Prost in 1993, marked the end of Formula 1’s presence in the country.

Since then, there have been several attempts to revive the race, with Cape Town and Kyalami often mentioned as potential venues. Discussions intensified in the 2020s, with Formula 1 officials keen to reintroduce a race in Africa—the only continent currently missing from the F1 calendar.