Since 1961, the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit has been popular for fans cheering on their favorite drivers during the Formula 1 Grand Prix. However, since 1993, South African fans have only been able to watch the action on TV.
In September 2024, excitement grew when South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. Gayton McKenzie, met with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Minister McKenzie said they are "one step closer to bringing Formula 1 back to South Africa." He also had a positive meeting with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, discussing support for the bid to host the event.
To prepare for this, Kyalami has hired Apex Circuit Design, a top motorsport engineering firm, to help secure FIA Grade 1 accreditation, which is necessary to host modern Formula 1 races. With its rich history, Kyalami is an ideal venue for international motorsport events.
The teams from Kyalami and Apex recently met with Minister McKenzie to discuss accreditation plans. The minister expressed his gratitude to Kyalami Circuit Owner, Mr. Toby Venter, for his dedication to making Formula 1's return a reality in South Africa.
Kyalami Management also thanked Minister McKenzie and Gauteng Premier Mr. Panyaza Lesufi for their ongoing efforts. While negotiations with Formula 1 owners Liberty Media are ongoing, South Africans can look forward to Kyalami being the home of Formula 1 once again.
At this stage, a realistic timeline of 2027 is likely for Kyalami to be added to the F1 calendar.
Mpho Mahlangu, in association with
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