Pretoria, September 2025. South Africa’s Cabinet has approved the Department of Sport’s request to formally bid to host the Formula One Grand Prix at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit starting in 2027.
Kyalami Ready for F1 Return
The iconic Kyalami circuit, situated north of Johannesburg, has already received confirmation from the FIA (F1’s governing body) to upgrade its facilities to Grade 1 status the highest international standard required to host Formula One races.
If successful, this will mark the return of Formula One to South Africa for the first time since 1993, when Kyalami hosted its last Grand Prix, just before the country’s transition to democracy.
Details of the Bid
At a media briefing on Friday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed that the bid will be to host the event for an initial three-year period, beginning in 2027.
The Minister emphasized that the bid is:
- Fully funded by the South African private sector
- Expected to generate job creation and economic growth
- A sign of international confidence in South Africa’s ability to host world-class sporting events
Ntshavheni described the opportunity as “an affirmation of South Africa as an important world actor and confidence in the country.”
Economic and Sporting Impact
The Formula One Grand Prix is one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, with a global television audience in the hundreds of millions. Hosting a race at Kyalami would:
- Boost tourism and hospitality industries in Gauteng and beyond
- Generate thousands of jobs directly and indirectly
- Showcase South Africa’s capacity for staging major international events
- Position the country as a key motorsport destination in Africa
Historical Context
- Last hosted: 1993 at Kyalami, with Alain Prost winning for Williams-Renault
- Significance: South Africa has a rich motorsport history, with Kyalami once a fixture on the Formula One calendar between the 1960s and early 1990s
- 2027 bid: If successful, South Africa will rejoin the select group of countries hosting F1 and it would be the only race on the African continent
Key Takeaways
- Bid approved: South Africa to bid for F1 Grand Prix from 2027
- Venue: Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (Johannesburg)
- Support: Fully financed by South African private sector
- Impact: Job creation, economic growth, global visibility
- Historical note: Would mark F1’s return to South Africa after 34 years
Sources / Accreditation
- Cabinet media briefing – Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (Sept 2025)
- FIA confirmation on Kyalami’s Grade 1 circuit upgrade
- Historical records of Formula One races in South Africa (last in 1993)
