Formula 1 could be a step closer to holding a race in Africa again after the owner of the Kyalami circuit in South Africa said Wednesday that the sport's governing body had approved upgrades to the track.
A statement from the circuit said that the FIA had "accepted final design proposals" for work which would upgrade Kyalami from the FIA's Grade 2 to the Grade 1 status required for F1.
It added that Kyalami has been given three years to complete the upgrades and that "selected works" will be carried out only once Kyalami has been selected to host F1.
"Today, we turn the page to a bold new chapter for Kyalami. We are ready for the return of Formula 1 to African soil," circuit owner Toby Venter said.
“This is a defining moment for South African motorsport,” Venter added. “When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it, not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across the African continent. The FIA’s acceptance of our Grade 1 design is a major step forward in that journey.”
Clive Bowen, Founder and Director of UK-based Apex Circuit Design and co-owner of Kyalami added: “This is a
light-touch upgrade in engineering terms, but one that enhances the already excellent circuit standards to meet modern Grade 1 requirements."
light-touch upgrade in engineering terms, but one that enhances the already excellent circuit standards to meet modern Grade 1 requirements."
Kyalami hosted the most recent F1 race in Africa in 1993 but other countries are also interested in bringing the series back to the continent. Rwanda is working on its own project and Morocco reportedly has plans too.
(The Associated Press, Additional reporting by Agnes Carlier for GrandPrix247)
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