By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, revealed that a significant meeting to secure the first Formula 1 (F1) race for South Africa, will take place in the next two weeks.
The Minister was speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, presenting a R6.3 billion budget aimed at unlocking local talent in both sports and the arts and culture.
McKenzie was quick to reference that the Kyalami Grand Prix has been granted permission to modify its design to meet F1 standards.
Kyalami received confirmation that the Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA) to upgrade the circuit to Grade 1 status – the highest international standard for a race track required to host an F1 race.
Constructed in 1961, the original Kyalami Circuit was the home of the South African Grand Prix, hosting 21 F1 Grand Prix races. On top of F1, the circuit has hosted MotoGP and several other motor sport events.
The last F1 Grand Prix in South Africa was hosted 32 years ago, just a year before South Africa transitioned to democracy.
“Many laughed when I uttered the words ‘Formula 1 must come back to South Africa’. One man in particular, who didn’t laugh, was Toby Venter, the owner of the Kyalami racetrack,” said McKenzie.
“When I told him that the government doesn’t have the money to host Formula 1 because of other more urgent priorities and we would not be able to help him pay for the track to reach F1 standards, he looked me in the eye and said he would see it [as] his patriotic duty to do just that.”
“We have had multiple meetings with the management of F1, with a crucial one happening in the next two weeks.”
He also announced that companies like MTN, MultiChoice, Heineken, and many others have expressed their support for this initiative.
“They will be present with us in the meeting with Formula 1 at the end of the month.”
However, he stressed that those who believe that F1 is not important should consider the countries that are holding onto their F1 spots on the calendar.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed that any new race will need to replace an existing event as the Formula 1 calendar is capped at 24 races.
That adds extra competition for South Africa with other countries vying for a coveted slot on the global circuit.
Thailand, in particular, is believed to be leading the race for a new event, following its government’s approval of a US$1,2 billion (R21,3 billion/€1 billion) bid to host a street race in Bangkok from 2028.