Formula One expected to return to South Africa from 2024

The Race reports that Formula One is set to return to South Africa – but not until 2024 at the very earliest.

The report suggests that the sport is likely to return to Kyalami, which is where the last African Grand Prix was held in the 1993 season.

The Kyalami Grand Prix circuit is currently rated as ‘Grade 2’ meaning that they will have some upgrades to do so it can be up to the ‘Grade 1’ standard that the FIA demands.

The 4.1km circuit has been recently upgraded to 'Grade 2' but officials chose not to go all the way with the upgrades as hosting a grand prix was 'not the end goal' at the time the upgrades were complete.

Since Liberty Media took over the sport in early 2017 it has always been its goal to expand the sport and the countries that it reaches.

In March of 2022 Stefano Domenicali, the F1 CEO, spoke to Sky Sports F1 and mentioned how “on top of America and China, I think there is potential to also be in Africa soon

“There is certainly a lot of interest there. For sure that is an area that is so far missing in the geography in our calendar”

Alongside Stefano Domenicali being asked about a potential return, Lewis Hamilton also spoke about his desire to race on the continent.

The seven-time world champion mentioned how the one race “[he] really wants to see [added] is one in South Africa. That is what I want next”

The Brit further expanded on this by asking “why not?”, since they already race on “pretty much every other continent” they should branch out to a wider audience.

Hamilton ended his statement on a potential grand prix with “ultimately, my ancestors are from there which is why it is so important to me”

As well as expanding out into Africa, The Race also mentions how in 2023 there is a very real possibility that a second race could be held in China alongside the current planned Shanghai Grand Prix.

What are your thoughts on a potential return to South Africa?

Read 'The Race' report here - https://the-race.com/formula-1/f1-expected-to-return-to-kyalami-with-south-african-gp/