A Grand Prix in Africa is starting to smell good
What if South Africa were to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2027? Whatever the case, the idea is gaining momentum. Sports officials in South Africa are determined to organize this sporting event, and are totally confident of being the country selected, while Rwanda has also shown an interest, as has Morocco.
Formula 1 made its last appearance in South Africa on March 14, 1993, when Alain Prost was crowned champion. Since then, radio silence. The nation that hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup wishes for the return of Formula 1 as early as 2027. A lot of groundwork is already being done.
South Africa is a land of sport. It now wants to make a name for itself in Formula 1, a discipline less prominent on the continent but clearly experiencing a new surge of interest with an increasing number of candidacies, notably from Rwanda, which was also the host country for the 2024 FIA Gala, and Morocco. Along with South Africa, these are three countries showing interest in hosting the return of F1 to the African continent.
The country has submitted its bid for the F1 Grand Prix in 2027. Already, a local committee has been set up to lead this immense project, headed by Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie. To AFP, Mlimandlela Ndamase, a member of this committee, expressed great optimism. “We will host the Grand Prix in 2027, there is no doubt about it.” “Whether it’s Cape Town or Joburg, it doesn’t matter,” he stated in early February 2025.
Samuel Tickell, a researcher in sports and media in Munich, advocates for the return of F1 to South Africa. « Returning to South Africa would be very important for F1, which hasn’t raced there since the end of apartheid. The sport has also had historic moments there, such as the drivers’ strike threat in 1982: a strike threat led by Niki Lauda in 1982 against a super license restricting the contractual freedom of drivers. »
Which circuit?
South Africa is getting practical. The country has highlighted two tracks; the urban one in Cape Town and the historic Kyalami circuit in Johannesburg. The latter was the venue for the F1 Grand Prix in 1993, where Alain Prost was crowned.
A problem: the Kyalami circuit, owned by the local division head of Porsche, Toby Venter, is only certified grade 2. This is one level below the requirements of Formula 1. For the Johannesburg-based circuit to meet F1 standards, South Africa will need to start the necessary work.
The urban circuit of Cape Town, for its part, has already hosted a Formula E race in 2023. This would undoubtedly be the simplest option.
Which host country for the return of F1 to Africa?
If there was still doubt about a return of F1 to Africa a few years ago, it is becoming increasingly likely that F1 will have an event on the African continent by 2030. The rotation of European races and the risk of the Miami Grand Prix disappearing, for example, should allow F1 to move back to Africa. Lewis Hamilton is, in fact, the foremost supporter of this idea.
South Africa has two big competitors for the return of F1 in Africa. Rwanda and Morocco have also positioned themselves to host Formula 1.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame himself is piloting this project. In September 2024, he was at the Singapore GP to meet with members of the International Automobile Federation and F1 owners. The lobbying has already begun. Morocco, meanwhile, is a very serious contender. It already hosted the Grand Prix in 1958 in Casablanca. The kingdom also wants this return in 2027.
Lewis Hamilton, last August, expressed his dissatisfaction to him. « You can’t add races everywhere and continue to ignore Africa. »
Whether it’s South Africa, Rwanda, or Morocco, there too they are jostling to see who will have a return of Formula 1 to their lands.
