South Africa's sports minister Gayton McKenzie has provided an update on efforts to revive the Formula 1 Grand Prix in the country, absent since 1993. While a 2027 race is ruled out, the nation is crafting an offer deemed too good to refuse amid competition from other African countries. Formula 1 has expressed interest in adding an African event to its calendar.
South Africa has been actively pursuing a return to the Formula 1 calendar for several years, with the last Grand Prix held at Kyalami in 1993. Sports minister Gayton McKenzie recently shared progress on these negotiations, acknowledging the challenges involved.
In an interview with ENCA, McKenzie confirmed that hosting an F1 event in 2027 is not feasible. "Next year, definitely not," he stated. "We have underestimated what is required to host an F1 event." This admission comes as Formula 1 implements a rotational calendar, exemplified by the Belgian Grand Prix shifting to every other year starting in 2027.
Despite the setback, McKenzie remains optimistic, noting collaboration with F1 experts. "But F1 has held our hand," he said. "But now we’ve got the experts and are putting together a bid they can’t refuse." The push occurs against a backdrop of surging global interest in the sport, with various locations vying for calendar spots.
South Africa faces competition from Morocco and Rwanda, both eyeing Africa's inaugural modern-era F1 race. Formula 1 leadership has voiced support for including an African venue, aligning with the sport's expansion goals.
