With the rising popularity of Formula 1, the demand for organizing Grands Prix remains high. In South Africa, there has been lobbying for some time for their own GP at the historic Kyalami circuit. Last year, the FIA already approved the necessary modifications to the track. Later this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to increase the pressure by personally attending an existing Grand Prix, promises Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie.
According to McKenzie, the visit fits within a broader campaign to bring Formula 1 back to Kyalami. Since 1993, the South African GP has not been held, but interest in a race weekend on the African continent has steadily grown in recent years. “His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has agreed to attend a Formula 1 Grand Prix later this year,” McKenzie told Africa Business. His ambitions are clear: “This will be a working visit, not a social visit.”
Kyalami
“The president’s visit allows us to observe the situation on site, engage in discussions, and strengthen our proposal,” he explained. “A whole generation of young African motorsport fans has never seen a Formula 1 race in their own country – we want to change that.” Internationally, however, many more countries hope to secure a spot on the calendar. Reportedly, South Africa is competing within its own continent against Rwanda and Morocco. However, Kyalami remains the most obvious choice, thanks to its rich history and the fact that the circuit has received approval to carry out the necessary modifications for an F1 license.
The Kyalami circuit, near Johannesburg, was the venue for the South African GP twenty times between 1967 and 1993. During the last edition, Alain Prost took the victory. Since then, the premier class has not visited the African continent. Yet both drivers and fans wish to return. Especially Lewis Hamilton hopes to race in Africa one day, as he said last year. “Formula 1 can no longer ignore Africa,” said the seven-time world champion.
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