Reports suggest that F1 could return to Africa for the first time in 30 years in 2023
South Africa last hosted a Grand Prix at Kyalami back in 1993, which also staged the race between 1967 and 1985 before returning in 1992 following the end of apartheid.
As part of F1’s push to race on all continents and fully embrace its world championship status, talks have been ongoing about a potential return to South Africa for some time. It is now understood that F1 could return to South Africa as early as next year, pending an official announcement in the coming weeks.
Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been one of the most vocal figures calling for a return to South Africa, saying it was a place “dear to my heart” and that he thought it would highlight the “great following out there”.
The return of Kyalami would add to an already-congested calendar for 2023 that is poised to hit the 24-race limit enforced by the Concorde Agreement. The Qatar Grand Prix has already been confirmed as returning to the calendar as part of a new 10-year deal, following its inaugural event last year, while the first Las Vegas Grand Prix has also been announced for November 2023.
How did things turn out in the previous South African Grand Prix?
F1’s last South African Grand Prix was in 1993 – won by Williams racer Alain Prost. The circuit returned for two races in 1992 and 1993 but fell off the calendar after bankruptcy problems for the promoter. The series’ first world championship South African Grand Prix was in 1962 – where Graham Hill claimed his first title for BRM in the finale.
The Kyalami circuit, located north of Johannesburg has been redeveloped in recent years and is the natural choice for a return of Grand Prix racing to the African continent. The circuit does not currently hold an FIA Grade 1 license it would need to host F1 – but is at Grade 2 standard with extra run-off and other small modifications needed to be granted the upgrade in status.
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