South Africa extends deadline for F1 host bids

The South African government has extended the deadline to submit host bids for a Formula 1 grand prix in the country.

After a bid to revive the South African race at Kyalami fell through in 2023, the government continued efforts to end the 32-year hiatus of grand prix racing in the African country.

As previously reported, the country’s ministry of sport, arts and culture commissioned a so-called Bid Steering Committee to invite bids from potential promoters and host organisers for the race.

Kyalami, which last hosted the race in 1993, is one frontrunner, pending ongoing work to elevate the circuit to the required FIA Grade 1 standard.

Another bid comes from the Cape Town Grand Prix SA, which intends to host a race on a 5.7km street circuit around Cape Town’s waterfront and the DHL Stadium, the same area that hosted a one-off Formula E race in 2023. A purpose-built circuit on the city outskirts is another option.

The original bid request was published on 17 January with a deadline of 31 January, but the ministry has now extended that deadline to 18 March to give hopeful bidders more time to put together and file an expression of interest.

“The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Bid Steering Committee (BSC), has extended the submission deadline for the Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) for South Africa’s Formula 1 Grand Prix bid to 18 March 2025,” the ministry said.

David Coulthard, Red Bull Racing RB7 at Kyalami

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“This extension aims to give stakeholders additional time to submit comprehensive, well-structured proposals in line with RFEOI [Request for Expression of Interest] requirements. The Ministry is committed to a transparent and competitive process to secure this prestigious motorsport event.

“The Ministry urges stakeholders to use this opportunity to support South Africa’s Formula 1 ambitions.”

The end of January was not the only ambitious deadline mentioned in the 37-page request, with the document referring to a return of the race by 2026 for 2027.

F1’s 2026 calendar is already full, with Mexico expecting to beat Imola to the last available slot. Hosting a race by 2027 will equally be an aggressive target.

Nevertheless, sports minister Gayton McKenzie continued his vocal campaign to bring F1 back, having met with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali for exploratory talks in Baku last year, which prompted him to claim the race “is going to happen”.

McKenzie has now said: “Hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix would boost our economy, tourism and development while showcasing South Africa as a premier global sporting destination. This extension ensures bidders have the time to prepare exceptional proposals.”

Other long-term candidates for a race include Rwanda, which formally launched its bid to host a race in its capital Kigali on a circuit currently being designed by Alex Wurz. F1 is also keen on expanding into Asia with Thailand and South Korea still considered the most serious contenders.