South Africa’s world-class race track that used to host Formula One

Kyalami is Africa’s longest Formula One track and the premier motorsports venue in South Africa, but it’s been 33 years since it last hosted a Formula One Grand Prix.

The famous South African motor racing circuit was originally designed and cleared by Harry Pierce and Dick Bremner in the mid-1950s.

The circuit was officially opened on 4 November 1961 with the Kyalami 9 Hours, an endurance contest that remained a mainstay of the track until the 1980s.

Following this, Kyalami would host 20 official Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, the first in 1967.

Notably, the bulk of these races would take place on the ‘old’ design of the track, as in 1989, the circuit was rebuilt as part of a commercial development plan to modernise and improve portions of the track.

This resulted in the track becoming narrower and more curving compared to its original straighter design, shifting the focus from high-speed straights to more cornering.

The final two Formula One Grand Prix were held in 1992 and 1993, with the latter being the final such race at Kyalami to date. In 1992, it also hosted the South African Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Since then, the track has continued to be updated and changed as needed, and in 2008, it came under new management.

However, this ownership would not last long, as on 6 June 2014, it was announced that Kyalami would be auctioned off on 24 July without reserve.

This led to the track being auctioned for R205 million to Toby Venter, the owner of Porsche South Africa.

A further R100 million would then be invested in the circuit to upgrade it to FIA Grade 2 Status and bring the track up to modern standards.

The return of F1 in South Africa

The primary reason F1 no longer came to Kyalami was a combination of financial constraints and a shift in global policies regarding track layouts.

However, Venter’s investment in the track could be instrumental in bringing global motorsport back to South Africa.

This is because the FIA Grade 2 Status the circuit currently holds is not far off the Grade 1 Status needed to qualify to host modern Formula One.

Notably, in June 2025, the FIA officially approved Kyalami’s design plans to upgrade to Grade 1 Status, providing the opportunity for Formula One to potentially return to South Africa.

“This is a defining moment for South African motorsport,” said Toby Venter at the time.

“When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it, not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across the African continent. The FIA’s acceptance of our Grade 1 design is a major step forward in that journey.”

The upgrade itself will chiefly focus on improvements to barrier fencing, kerbs, drainage, and run-off areas, and will be overseen by the Apex Circuit Design company.

Kyalami circuit

Kyalami