Two candidate sites to host a Grand Prix in South Africa

New step in the possible return of South Africa to the calendar of the Formula 1. Following the call for developers launched by the South African government Last January, in order to host a round of the world championship, two sites applied according to local media BusinessDayInterested promoters had until March 18 to express their interest in organizing a Formula 1 Grand Prix in South Africa in the 2026-2027 horizon. Among the two applications, we obviously find that of the Kyalami circuit, but also a unique offer in the city of Cape Town.

The Kyalami circuit, which previously hosted the South African Grand Prix between 1967 and 1993, is at the top of the list of three candidates. To regain a place on the F1 calendar, the track near the city of Midrand, currently an FIA Grade 2 track, must be upgraded to FIA Grade 1. Steps were taken in this direction at the end of 2024 with the hiring of Apex Circuit Design to carry out the necessary work, estimated at between $5 and $10 million. According to the circuit's owner, Toby Venter, the circuit is "90% ready" to host an F1 race.

Kyalami as favorite, Cape Town as outsider

However, Kyalami is not alone in this quest for F1, as Cape Town could steal that honor. The country's second-largest city in terms of population (around 3,7 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area), South Africa's "mother city" has many assets that could attract Formula 1, which is known to be increasingly fond of urban racing. The offer is from Cape Town Grand Prix SA, which proposes a 5,7-kilometer circuit that would wind around the DHL Stadium – which hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup – and the Green Point district, where several sports facilities are located. This is where the Cape Town E-Prix took place in Formula EIn 2023.

Another bid for Cape Town – separate from the first one mentioned above – was also in the pipeline, but it was ultimately not submitted to the bid management committee. Financed by the American company Boundless Motorsport, this alternative project (led by Bobby Hartslief, former organizer of the F1 Grand Prix and then of MotoGP in South Africa) aimed to build a new FIA-certified circuit capable of hosting more than 125 fans near the city.

In its call for promoters, the government provided some details regarding future applications: to host F1, the circuit must be accessible within 30 minutes from a major city or a recognized destination, it must be able to accommodate 125 spectators per day (at least three-quarters of whom could arrive by public transport), and the track must be between 000 and 4,5 kilometers long with a straight section of at least one kilometer. The South African government must now choose which application to submit to Formula 5,5 for a possible return to the calendar in 1, or even 2027.

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