F1 in SA

The South African Minister of Sport, Art and Culture has said so much about the likelihood of an SA F1 bid that it is hard to keep track (no pun intended) any more. He has been quiet for a few months, but has now made the most interesting comments regarding the likelihood of a race taking place on local soil.

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The minister, speaking at a media briefing said, “I want to share some news that reaches beyond one race weekend. His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has agreed to join me at a Formula One Grand Prix later this year. This is a working visit, not a social one. Its purpose is to support South Africa’s ambition to bring Formula One back to the African continent for the first time since our country became a democracy.”

This bit This is a working visit, not a social one made us wonder about all those other visits to F1 races that the minister has undertaken at taxpayers’ expense, were they all social?

Pleasing the Base

He continued, “Formula One has not raced on African soil in more than three decades. In that time, the sport has returned to the Middle East, to Asia, to the Americas, and to every continent except ours. That is not acceptable, and it is not sustainable. An entire generation of young African motorsport enthusiasts have never seen Formula One race in their own backyard. We intend to change that.”

Big Guns

This is the very first time that the president’s name has been brought into the discussion, which lends real clout to proceedings.

“The President’s participation sends a signal that this ambition is held at the highest level of the South African state. There are criteria that any country must meet to bring a Grand Prix home – commercial, logistical, infrastructural, and safety criteria – and we are working methodically to meet every one of them.

“The President’s visit will allow us to observe, to engage, and to strengthen the case. I will have more to say on timing and on the specific Grand Prix in due course, in coordination with the Presidency.”

Funding the Race

Hosting a race in SA comes at a significant cost. We have outlined some of the numbers in this article. The minister has previously stated that an SA F1 race will not be funded by the national coffers, but will require private financial backing.

Potential Venues

There have been talks between the DSAC and the owners of Kyalami. The minister has formerly thanked the owners of the historic venue for their support of such an event. Kyalami has even confirmed that it will upgrade its facilities, as required, when a race is confirmed at the venue.

However, that sentiment has changed somewhat with, seemingly, a street circuit in Cape Town also being considered as an option. The Mother City played host to the most recent FIA single-seater event on the continent when Formula E raced locally in 2023. The race was, by all accounts, a phenomenal success. However, the Formula E circus is far smaller and attracts much smaller crowds than F1. Even then, Formula E has not returned after its single visit to Msanzi.

Not Anytime Soon

But before you rush off to book your accommodation it it worth noting that Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali said in a recent interview:

“We are looking at Africa but not in (20)26. It will be not realistic to say they will be ready. We are having talks with countries like Rwanda, for example. South Africa requested interest, but I will say, we need to be sure that, whenever will be ready, will be done in a proper way. The focus is there for sure because Africa is the only continent that is not present in our world championship.”

When questioned on the possible timing, Domenicali responded: “(20)27 will be too premature, I need to be realistic. It takes time to build an ecosystem for Formula One.”