Competing Bids for Formula 1 Return to South Africa

The South African government is on the verge of making a decision regarding which bid to support, as it aims to reintroduce Formula 1 racing in the country. Organizers behind Cape Town’s bid have recently unveiled updates to their street race proposal.

Reviving the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami Falls Short

Previous attempts to resurrect the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami have been unsuccessful, but the South African government has expressed a renewed commitment to bring the series back to this African powerhouse, launching a bid process earlier this year. A revamped Kyalami, last hosting F1 in 1993, and a proposed street race around Cape Town’s waterfront appear to be the two leading contenders for public backing. The deadline for the bid committee’s decision is set for the end of April.

Cape Town’s Bid Highlights Urban Location and Natural Beauty

Cape Town’s bid emphasizes the central, urban location of its Tilke-designed 5.7km circuit, which snakes around the Green Point harbor and utilizes facilities around the DHL Stadium built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “The latest design has all the bells and whistles,” said Cape Town GP CEO Igshaan Amlay to Motorsport.com. “It’s partly on the waterfront and it also uses the facilities that have been used for the football World Cup.

Amlay highlights the accessibility of the circuit, with the airport located 15 to 20 minutes away, a top hospital on site, and numerous hotels within walking distance. The natural backdrops of Robben Island, the waterfront, and Table Mountain add to Cape Town’s appeal as a top tourist destination. “We’re up against Kyalami, which has a rich Formula 1 history,” Amlay said. “If we get the government’s backing, we could accommodate 250,000 people, making it more accessible to a larger audience.

Design Changes for Cape Town’s Street Race Proposal

Contrary to previous proposals, the latest design would not run through the DHL Stadium itself but instead run alongside it, using the venue for the paddock, media center, and hospitality areas. Amlay explained that running through the stadium was initially intended to accommodate up to 70,000 people, but after consulting with circuit designers, it would be better to run along the circuit.

The DHL Stadium will still be used for the paddocks and media center, with existing facilities from the 2010 FIFA World Cup being reactivated. The original Green Point athletics stadium, which has a rich legacy, will also be incorporated into the race track design.

South Africa’s F1 Return Remains Uncertain Despite Government Backing

Even if the government backs either Cape Town or Kyalami, the prospects of an actual F1 return to South Africa are still uncertain. It would take a compelling bid to convince F1 that it meets all the necessary criteria, with the country facing competition from countries like Thailand, Rwanda, and South Korea for a spot on the calendar from 2028 and beyond. There are also questions about how much funding the event will be able to raise through private and public means, with potential corporate sponsors awaiting the government’s bid decision.

The Dream of Bringing F1 to Cape Town Persists

Amlay has been working on his project of bringing F1 to Cape Town for over two decades without success, having previously held talks with then-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. However, he feels the momentum is now there to finally realize his dream as F1’s popularity has reached new heights. “We’ve never shied away from any criticism,” Amlay added. “Whenever people criticized us, we looked at it seriously and made a few changes.

When they pitched the idea in 2016, they had interest from various sponsors and investors. The main obstacle was the lack of government backing. However, with a renewed push and a large following from the younger generation who support Formula 1, Amlay remains optimistic about the future. “We’ve come a long way since first envisaging the concept back in 1999,” he said. “If you believe in something and you persevere, then it will happen.