Why Formula 1 must return to South Africa

A victory ofAlain Prost ahead of Ayrton Senna and Mark Blundell, on March 14, 1993, sealed the last appearance of the South African Grand Prix in Formula 1. Since then, no more races have been organized on the African continent. If the organizers have recently turned to new destinations to attract a new audience, such as Qatar or Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, they would be well inspired to return to a continent left aside for far too long.

The Kyalami circuit completely redone

The South African Grand Prix disappeared from the radar for the first time due to the context of apartheid in 1986. Then, returning in 1992 for only two small editions, financial concerns from the former promoter condemned the circuit of Kyalami to no longer welcome car. Today, the route has been renovated, thanks to funding from Porsche (in 2014 the Kyalami circuit was sold to Toby Venter, CEO of Porsche South Africa), in order to be promoted Grade 2 by the FIA. If this new status allows it to host international motor competitions, South Africa will have to do additional work regarding reception capacity or security around the circuit to obtain the higher rank. As a reminder, he must obtain the Grade 1 to be able to host a Formula 1 round. And if there is still some work to be done, it is time for optimism for Christo Kruger, the spokesperson for the circuit based in the north of South Africa. “We support all efforts and remain committed to hosting an F1 Grand Prix in Kyalami” he hammered.

A guaranteed success

Like the Austin Grand Prix, where the number of spectators reached 400 on October 000 (a historic figure), or even the excitement around the future event which will take place in Miami next year (already more than 275 pre-registrations for ticket sales) there is no doubt that the future ticket office for South Africa will also be taken by storm, as evidenced by the crowds during the last edition in 000 (1993 112 spectators). With a Lewis Hamilton headlining, he who rightly advocates diversity and who called for the return of Kyalami to the calendar, it is easy to predict the same success. Symbolically, this would be a very good decision and would allow South Africa to benefit from significant visibility during these few days. “Bringing the focus back to Africa and highlighting the beautiful place that it is, I think it’s the most important continent we need to go to, argued the driver with 100 victories at the start of the week. This needs to happen where it’s not just about money, but about people. In business, that’s not always the case, so it’s something I advocate.”

The 1984 Grand Prix was won by Niki Lauda, ​​ahead of Alain Prost (here in the foreground) – Photo Eric Vargiolu / DPPI

A big step towards diversity

The appearance of an African stage in the Formula 1 calendar could improve in the long term the concern for diversity often pointed out by the seven-time world champion. It would in any case be a start. The only black driver on the starting grid, and only the second in the history of F1 (Danny Ongais was the first in 1977), Lewis Hamilton recently spoke in the Wall Street Journal to denounce this anomaly. “Why am I the only black driver to have made it? ». The UK Academy of Engineering study found that the number of black people working in F1 was less than 1%. “Africa is such an important place that we should come back to, justified the current second in the general classification. For now, F1 travels to countries and leaves no trace of its passage. F1 needs to become a sport that builds and leaves something that can really help communities.” The return of the premier category in Africa could spark many vocations among young people, as a driver, engineer or mechanic for example. And thus allow South Africa, perhaps, to find the successor of Jody Scheckter, one and only South African world champion (1979) in the history of Formula 1.

Other potential candidate countries

In addition to South Africa, the big favorite to host Formula 1 in the coming seasons on the continent, other African countries dream of also organizing a world championship event. Morocco, where a Grand Prix took place in 1958 (won by Stirling Moss), has positioned itself with the FIA. There Formula E has already visited the Moulay El Hassan circuit four times (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020), located in the streets of Marrakech. Rwanda, Nigeria or even Kenya, which is part of the calendar WRC, would also be on the shortlist to organize an F1 round. If the 2022 calendar is already known, could 2023 be the year when the 6 continents each welcome at least one Grand Prix again? In any case, Stefano Domenicali, the new boss of F1, affirmed that F1 would make its return to the African continent over the next five years. Excellent news. 

Lewis Hamilton reveals the one place where he'd most like to race in the coming seasons 👀#F1 https://t.co/3WdfFFEBA7

- Formula 1 (@ F1) October 31, 2021