The African country challenging South Africa for the return of Formula 1

South Africa is the leading contender for hosting the return of Formula 1 (F1) to the African continent, but another challenger recently emerged.

According to Simon Chadwick – professor of sport and geopolitical economics at Skema Business School in Paris – Rwanda is South Africa’s biggest rival for hosting the next African F1.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame was at the Singapore Grand Prix in September 2024 to meet the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), as well as F1 owners Liberty Media, presumably to discuss the viability of a race in the Central African nation.

Rwanda is a standout option as it already sponsors soccer giants Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain and is a partner of the North American National Basketball Association.

However, its bid could be marred by its involvement in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, said Chadwick.

Calls are already mounting to withdraw the cycling Road World Championships, planned in the Rwandan capital Kigali in September.

Morocco could also be a contender as it has long had ambitions of hosting an F1 race. At present, however, the country hasn’t made clear any intentions to usurp the honour from South Africa.

Meanwhile, South African Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, sees no reason why there should be only one F1 leg on the African continent.

“Why is it that when it comes to Africa, we are treated like we can only get one?” he said.

South African bid taking shape

South Africa’s F1 Bid Steering Committee (BSC), appointed in December 2024 by McKenzie, said it has been satisfied with the interest it has received from local organisations to host the South African F1.

The BSC in January invited parties to submit their bids to host a grand prix in 2026/27 and beyond, with the deadline for submissions set for 31 January.

However, it has now extended the submission window until 18 March in light of fervent interest in the event.

“Engagements with prospective bidders in the process indicate that there is great enthusiasm amongst various interested parties and stakeholders in F1 and the committee is committed to ensuring that the process is competitive, fair, and transparent,” said the BSC.

The extension additionally affords the BSC breathing room to hone its bidding requirements and strategy before everything is presented to the FIA and Liberty Media.

Following the March 18th deadline, the BSC will evaluate the bidders against the rules and regulations set out in the request for expression of interest document and create a shortlist of preferred candidates.

These parties will be invited to a closed Request for Proposal process where they will be asked to submit a more detailed plan.

The preferred bidder must then be approved by both Minister McKenzie and Cabinet before South Africa presents its final proposal.

Current frontrunners include the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit which recently committed to upgrading its track to F1 standards with a rumoured budget of $10 million (R184 million) set aside for the endeavour.

Another contender is the association called Cape Town Grand Prix SA, which has floated the idea of a street race in the Mother City that would “outclass Monaco.”

South Africa plans to raise as much as R900 million in support of a successful F1 race on home turf, and has its sights set on the 2027 championship.

It will be the first grand prix held in the country since 1993.