South Africa’s plans for Formula One kick into high gear

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has revealed the team of experts that will form part of South Africa’s Bid Steering Committee (BSC) for the return of Formula One (F1).

These experts will be responsible for all aspects of preparing a bid for the Formula One Group and the motorsport’s governing body – the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

South Africa’s F1 ambitions

The BSC is the recognized body permitted to engage with F1 officials and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive bid document, and is responsible for ensuring that all the necessary requirements for the sport’s comeback are met.

The BSC members are as follows:

• Ms Bakang Lethoko (Chairperson)
• Mr Anton Roux
• Mr Vic Maharaj
• Mr Rendani Ramovha
• Mr Gavin Varejes
• Mr Andrew Dunn
• Mr Timothy Harris
• Mr Stephen Watson
• Ms Thabile Ngwato
• Ms Charnie-Lee Kruger
• Mr Shane Wafer
• Mr Mlimandlela Ndamase
• Ms Nomsa Chabeli

The committee will publish its request for proposals (in accordance with FIA guidelines) by the end of this week, after which the various bids will need to be submitted by mid-February next year.

The final bid, which includes the track and city where the race will be held, must be endorsed by the South African cabinet before it can be submitted to the Formula One Group for consideration.

South Africa is aiming to be included on the 2027 F1 calendar, though the 2026 calender may still be possible if a plan can be formulated in time.

Sports Minister Gayton Mckenzie spoke about the plans at a recent event held at the Kyalami Gran Prix Circuit in Midrand, Gauteng, where he explained the various issues and strategic matters surrounding the bidding process.

South Africa has not hosted an F1 event since 1993, and there are now multiple African countries bidding to host a race, including Morocco and Rwanda, but Mckenzie cautioned to not view this situation as a zero-sum game.

“Europe has 10 races, if you include Baku. One country, Italy, has two F1 races. Africa, with 54 countries, does not even have one race. So, there’s no reason that we can’t all put our name forward, and support each other, to make sure that the World Championship takes place everywhere in the world, as it should,” he said.

Concerns were also been raised over South Africa’s ability to afford a such a prestigious and expensive sport, but Mckenzie responded by pointing out that Rwanda’s GDP is 30 times smaller than South Africa’s, but is still trying to secure a race.

“The question is not whether we can afford to bring Formula One back to South Africa, but rather whether we can afford not to,” said the Minister.

The Government of National Unity and President Cyril Ramaphosa have also voiced their support for the country’s F1 bid, as the race is expected to elevate South Africa’s international profile, leading to more tourism and motorsport-related investments.