Race To Bring Formula One To South Africa Heats Up

The deadline for bids to host a South African Formula One Grand Prix has officially passed, with Cape Town and Kyalami emerging as the strongest contenders.

South Africa has been absent from the F1 calendar since 1993, when Alain Prost claimed victory at Kyalami in a Williams-Renault. Efforts to bring the race back have repeatedly stalled due to financial hurdles, but with government backing, this time could be different.

In December 2024, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie announced a steering committee of experts to oversee South Africa's official bid. The initial submission deadline in February was pushed to March 18, allowing potential hosts more time to prepare proposals.

'Bringing Formula One to South Africa would be a game-changer for tourism, the economy, and development. This extension ensures every bidder has a chance to present their strongest case,' McKenzie said.

While McKenzie's office has not disclosed how many bids were submitted, reports from Times Live suggest the choice will likely come down to Kyalami or Cape Town.