South Africa opens bid process for F1 return after 32-year hiatus

The South African government has opened up a bid process for prospective organisers of a future Formula 1 race in the country.

The government of the African nation has appointed a so-called Formula 1 Bid Steering Committee which has been tasked with finding potential organisers for South Africa’s return to the F1 calendar.

South Africa last hosted an F1 grand prix at the Kyalami circuit in 1993. Plans to return the race in recent years have failed to come to fruition, but the government has long been vocal about its desire to make a deal happen with F1 management.

After South African representatives held an exploratory chat with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali at last year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the country’s sports ministry has now made the next step towards hosting a grand prix by announcing a bid procedure, issuing a 37-page request for expression of interest which details the various requirements for organising a race.

“The DSAC [Department of Sport, Arts and Culture] has been in direct communication with F1 Management, including CEO Stefano Domenicali, to align with the necessary hosting standards,” the document reads.

“A bidding process for potential promoters has been initiated, with the DSAC forming the F1 BSC [Bid Steering Committee] to manage this process, assess bids, and select a promoter.

“Comprising 12 members from various sectors such as motorsport, broadcasting, media and law, the BSC will assess each proposal for financial robustness and infrastructural adequacy.

“While no venue has been definitively chosen, potential Promoters and/or host city and venue partners are encouraged to suggest any suitable location (subject to the criteria detailed in this document) within South Africa.

“After the BSC’s recommendation, the final bid or short-listed bids will go to the DSAC for consideration before being submitted to F1 Management.”

The government entity is looking for reputable promoters capable of hosting an annual race on a 10-year term, starting in 2026 and 2027, the latter being a much more realistic start date given F1’s calendar congestion.

The tender calls for an “iconic destination location” close to a major city, emphasising the reliance on public transport and renewable energy to meet F1’s sustainability criteria, with a capacity to host up to 125,000 spectators per day, and a 4.5 to 5.5km circuit boasting a straight of at least 1km. It also details the usual requirements for paddock working areas and hospitality zones.

Interested parties are asked to submit their bid before the end of the month, after which the bid committee will formulate a shortlist.

Kyalami, near Johannesburg, remains a contender with officials announcing they contracted Apex Circuit Design to bring the track up to the required FIA Grade 1 standards.

David Coulthard, Red Bull Racing RB7 at Kyalami

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Elsewhere, the Cape Town Grand Prix SA has also been reported to be entering a bid to organise a race on a proposed street circuit around Cape Town’s waterfront, with a purpose-built circuit on the outskirts of the city as another option.

Whether or not South Africa’s bid to return to the F1 calendar will succeed this time around remains highly unclear.

While F1 management has expressed an interest in returning to the African continent, and similar talks are underway in Rwanda, a South African Grand Prix remains a distant dream for now, with the short timeline indicated in the bid document appearing optimistic at best.

Like Rwanda, South Africa is up against fierce worldwide competition, including Thailand and South Korea, and any prospective entrant will be required to present a compelling, sustainable bid to attract the popular series, which has no shortage of potential host venues.

Earlier this month F1 announced a contract renewal for Spa’s Belgian Grand Prix that will see the race join a rotational system with other European rounds, while Zandvoort hosts its final Dutch Grand Prix in 2026, opening up a slot on F1’s 24-round calendar for 2027 and beyond.

The 2026 schedule looks all but set, with Mexico expected to renew its deal and Imola’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix set to miss out.