F1 news: Kyalami’s Formula 1 revival gains momentum with FIA green light
South Africa’s hopes of bringing F1 back to the continent have received a major boost with the FIA officially approving design plans to upgrade the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit to Grade 1 status.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo explores what this means for South Africa’s F1 ambitions, the timeline involved, and the factors that still stand in the way of a long-awaited return.
South Africa eyes long-awaited F1 return
South Africa’s ambitions to rejoin the Formula 1 calendar have taken a major step forward.
The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, located near Johannesburg, has received official approval from the FIA to proceed with upgrades that would elevate the track to Grade 1 status, a prerequisite for hosting Formula 1 races.
This development marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to bring F1 back to the continent for the first time since 1993, when Alain Prost won the last race at Kyalami for Williams.
The FIA’s written endorsement allows Kyalami to move ahead with improvements aimed at aligning the circuit with modern F1 safety and technical standards.
Upgrades aim to meet F1 standards without altering layout
The planned upgrades, designed by UK-based Apex Circuit Design, will not alter the layout of the 4.522km circuit.
Instead, the focus will be on enhancing run-off areas, barrier systems, debris fencing, kerbs, and drainage.
Apex Circuit Design founder Clive Bowen described the changes as a “light-touch” engineering intervention that enhances the already strong technical foundation of the track.
Kyalami, which underwent significant redevelopment in 2016 to achieve Grade 2 certification, will now have three years to complete the necessary upgrades.
If successful, it will become Africa’s only FIA Grade 1 circuit, a status that could place South Africa in serious contention for a return to the F1 calendar by 2028 or 2029.
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Return not yet guaranteed despite progress
Despite the progress, there is no confirmation that South Africa will appear on the Formula 1 calendar.
The upgrades are conditional, with work only going ahead if South Africa secures a place on the schedule and Kyalami is confirmed as the preferred venue.
The release outlining the FIA’s approval made this clear, stating that selected works would proceed only after such decisions are finalised.
The South African Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture has been actively pushing for a race, opening a formal request for expressions of interest earlier this year.
The government hopes to secure a decade-long deal beginning in 2026 or 2027, though the current calendar suggests a race in 2026 is off the table.
Kyalami is seen as the frontrunner, but it is not without competition. Cape Town is also lobbying for the opportunity, proposing a street circuit in the style of the 2023 Formula E event held in the city.
Rwanda has also expressed interest in hosting, but South Africa is considered the most likely entry point for an African F1 return.
Kyalami’s legacy and vision for the future
Kyalami has a storied history in F1, hosting races between 1967 and 1985, then briefly again in 1992 and 1993.
Its revival has been a long-term project, spearheaded by circuit owner Toby Venter, who purchased the track in 2014 with the vision of restoring it as a global motorsport destination.
“This is a defining moment for South African motorsport,” Venter said.
“We made a commitment to restore Kyalami not only as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across Africa. The FIA’s acceptance of our Grade 1 design is a major step forward in that journey.”
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Support from Lewis Hamilton and David Coulthard adds momentum
Public and professional backing for Kyalami’s F1 return has grown in recent years.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has pledged full support, making a personal promise to Lewis Hamilton that his dream of racing in South Africa again will become a reality.
Former F1 driver David Coulthard also endorsed the track, having tested it during a Red Bull demo run.
He praised the layout for its combination of blind corners, high-speed sections, and elevation changes.
Coulthard noted that while additional safety measures such as increased run-off areas were needed, the core design offered a unique and competitive challenge.
“In terms of the track, it is fantastic,” Coulthard said. “There is not one corner that does not present a challenge. I would have loved to have raced at Kyalami.”
Africa’s F1 dream moves closer
The FIA’s approval brings South Africa closer than ever to restoring its place on the global F1 stage.
Whether that ambition is realised will depend on commercial negotiations, political commitment, and final scheduling decisions from Formula 1 management.
For now, Kyalami’s progress has reignited hope that the sport will soon return to African soil.
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