South Africa has taken a major step toward hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix after the international motor racing body, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), approved final plans to upgrade the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit to Grade 1 status.
FIA approves plans for historic South African circuit
This is the highest rating a racing circuit can achieve and is a mandatory requirement for any venue that wants to host a Formula 1 race.
The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, located in Midrand, was originally built in 1961 and has a long motorsport history.
Between the 1960s and early 1990s, it was a major stop on the international racing calendar, hosting 21 Formula 1 races, as well as other major motorsport events like the Kyalami 9-Hour and MotoGP.
The current circuit layout, updated in 2016, is 4.522km long and already holds a Grade 2 license, which allows it to host most international races except Formula 1.
With the FIA now accepting plans for its upgrade to Grade 1, the circuit is on track to become the only one in Africa capable of hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Once the physical upgrades are completed and the final inspection is passed, Kyalami will officially be certified to host F1.
This would mark the return of Formula 1 to South African soil for the first time since 1993.
In December 2024, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie introduced a Bid Steering Committee (BSC) during a press event at Kyalami. This committee, composed of high-profile figures including business executives, motorsport experts, and media professionals, has been tasked with preparing South Africa’s official F1 bid.
The bid process is open to both local and international promoters.
Toby Venter, owner of the Kyalami track, confirmed that the upgrades required for Grade 1 status are 90% complete and the final licensing should be in place before the end of 2025.
“The winning bid is expected to be announced in February,” Minister McKenzie said at the time.
Once a promoter is selected, the bid will go through provincial and cabinet approval.
To host a Formula 1 race, a promoter must manage every aspect of the event, including sponsorship, logistics, and covering hosting fees.
These fees can be as high as $57 million (about R1 billion) annually, as seen in the case of Baku in Azerbaijan.
South Africa is currently competing with Rwanda and two other local proposals—one for Phakisa Raceway in Welkom, and another under a consortium called “Wakanda City.”
McKenzie has welcomed the African competition, saying:
The approval of the upgrade plans by the FIA has now moved South Africa closer to bringing Formula 1 back, pending the completion of the physical track improvements and final selection of the event promoter.“Why can’t we have an SA and Rwandan Grands Prix?”