Cape Town Revs Up Grand Prix Dream In F1 Face-off With Kyalami

South Africa is at the centre of a Formula 1 tug of war, with Cape Town and Kyalami locked in a fierce race to secure government backing for the country's long-awaited return to the Grand Prix calendar.

While Kyalami remains a nostalgic favourite thanks to its deep F1 roots and past races dating back to the 1960s, Cape Town has stolen the spotlight with a flashy new proposal that blends street circuit adrenaline with world-class scenery and urban convenience.

At the heart of Cape Town's pitch is a revamped 5.7km track carved out around Green Point's bustling waterfront, a design that snakes past iconic locations like Robben Island, Table Mountain and the 2010 FIFA World Cup's DHL Stadium. It's the brainchild of South African businessman and Cape Town GP CEO Igshaan Amlay, who has spent over 20 years fighting to make the dream a reality.

'Everything we need is already here,' said Amlay. 'We have an international airport just 20 minutes from the circuit, top-tier hospitals, thousands of hotel rooms within walking distance, and a setting that competes with Monaco.'

While earlier versions of the plan envisioned the race route slicing through DHL Stadium, logistical challenges have rerouted it to run alongside the arena. Instead, the stadium will serve as the operations hub - hosting the paddock, media and VIP hospitality areas. Nearby, the historic Green Point Athletics Stadium is still set to play a supporting role, offering added capacity and heritage.