The Mother City is fast-tracking its ambitions to bring Formula One racing back to South African soil for the first time since 1993, as Cape Town Grand Prix South Africa (CTGPSA) readies a final bid for submission to the national Bid Steering Committee.
The proposed 5.7km street circuit would wind through the Green Point Sports and Tourism Precinct, showcasing Cape Town’s most iconic landmarks – from Table Mountain and Robben Island to the V&A Waterfront and Cape Town Stadium.
‘South African identity’
Dubbed the “African Riviera”, the route aims to rival the glamour of Monaco and Singapore, but with a uniquely South African identity.
“There’s nothing CTGPSA is more sure of than knowing that our concept makes sense,” the group said in a recent statement.
CTGPSA has been developing its vision since 2007, working alongside famed F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke and securing support from Western Cape officials.
Their credibility was bolstered by a successful Formula E demonstration in 2018, run along the same proposed route.
National competition heats up
The Cape Town bid gained significant momentum after Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, officially opened a nationwide bidding process in December 2024.
McKenzie has acknowledged the Cape Town bid’s national importance and taken a personal interest in reviewing the project.
But Cape Town isn’t the only contender.
Kyalami, the historic circuit in Gauteng that hosted 21 Grands Prix between 1967 and 1993, is making a strong return with an FIA Grade 1 upgrade proposal already accepted.
Its recent renovations and motorsport legacy make it a powerful competitor.
What’s at stake
Hosting a Formula One Grand Prix would represent a historic return of F1 to Africa, offering massive economic and tourism potential.
Cape Town’s scenic appeal and international tourism infrastructure could give it the edge with global audiences and F1 stakeholders, who have long eyed a return to the continent.
No final decision has been made.
Minister McKenzie has emphasised that all bids must be globally competitive, credible, and capable of meeting FIA and Formula One Management (FOM) standards.
Still, for millions of motorsport fans, the dream of seeing the world’s fastest cars race past the Atlantic Ocean is no longer just fantasy – it’s on the verge of becoming a reality.
Would you prefer a South African Grand Prix be held in Cape Town or Kyalami?
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