F1’s Global Reach and the African Gap
Formula 1 is intensely proud of its global reach, viewing itself not just as a regional motorsport championship, but as a premier global entertainment franchise that rivals top-tier sports like the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. In fact, only these two events see a bigger global reach in terms of TV audience, but of course, they are held only every four years.
Yet the absence of a race weekend in Africa is considered by many as a blot on F1’s copybook, and having no footprint on the continent has meant cutting off generations of passionate fans from experiencing the pinnacle of motorsport live. It also creates narrative friction when F1 management boasts about global expansion while ignoring one of the world’s most vibrant regions.
History at Kyalami and the Collapse of Recent Talks
Motorsport has a rich history in South Africa, with its first Grand Prix pre-dating F1 back in 1934. The last F1 race was held in 1993 at the Kyalami circuit just outside Johannesburg, in the north of the country, and since 2018 there have been talks of a return to the track, although a significant part of the old layout has been sold and built on for commercial purposes.
A return to Kyalami would require significant investment to bring the circuit up to an FIA Grade 1 facility, which would require the government to assist in the venture. The most recent talks fell apart last year when the promoter was accused of greed and the South African government stepped away.
The only South African driver ever to win his home Grand Prix was Jody Scheckter in 1975. He was part of the talks to return F1 to Kyalami and explained the issues after the deal collapsed. “I was an inside part of it,” he told Total Motorsport.com, “my nephew worked on it for six years. It was that close,” he added. “The guy from Kyalami went from [demanding] 500,000 to 2 million, and he wanted to take the whole thing over.
“F1 came over to sign. He had got government backing, some of the wealthiest people in South Africa behind it. Everything was in place, and the guy from Kyalami got greedy.”
Rwanda Enters the Race
South Africa now faces a challenge from another African country keen to build a reputation for tourism—Rwanda. At the 2024 FIA end-of-season gala, the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, revealed in his speech: “I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa by hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
“A big thank you to [F1 president] Stefano Domenicali and the entire team at F1 for the good progress in our discussions so far. I assure you we are approaching this opportunity with the seriousness and commitment it deserves.”
Unlike F1’s last three new circuits, the Rwandans plan to build a purpose-built track near the new Bugesera airport outside Kigali, the capital city. The designer is Alexander Wurz, a former F1 driver and the chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.
A New Hope: Blue Mountain Racing’s Cape Town Project
So it appeared the South African dream of a return to the F1 calendar was dead—until today. Now, Blue Mountain Racing (BMR) has formally announced its intention to build a new FIA Grade 1 and FIM Grade A circuit outside Cape Town. The 600-hectare site has been acquired in Swartland, north of the city, but this time the project is to be completely funded by a group of prominent South African business leaders together with international motorsport professionals.
This clearly avoids messy dealings with the country’s ruling party, the ANC, and the location in the beautiful Western Cape region—with its wine regions and pristine beaches—is clearly a destination that would be attractive to F1 fans.
There had been some talk of a street race in Cape Town; however, the organisers behind the plan to build the circuit just an hour north of Cape Town believe the virgin site gives them greater flexibility to create something truly unique, utilising the natural undulations of the land. It further avoids the months of disruption and cost to the public purse that temporary street courses bring along with them.
Regional Politics and Economic Independence
The Western Cape is the richest of South Africa’s regions, and there has been recent talk of it becoming a country independent of South Africa. Proponents argue that it has a distinct political, cultural, and economic identity separate from the rest of the country.
The Western Cape is the only province in South Africa that has historically been governed primarily by the Democratic Alliance (DA) rather than the national ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). Supporters of secession frequently cite frustration with national economic policies, corruption, and service delivery, arguing that an independent region could run a more free-market, streamlined economy.
Infrastructure and the Road to 2031
The track would be the beating heart of a huge commercial development planned for year-round activities. There will be world-class conferencing facilities, an amphitheatre to host the biggest music acts in the world, and a 50-hectare waterfront development including shopping malls, hotels, and residential accommodation.
With the location now secured, BMR is currently engaging with F1 and MotoGP officials over the requirements they would have. Construction will commence in 2029, with FIA and FIM homologation and proving events to occur in 2030. 2031 is the year slated for the first South African Grand Prix since 1993.
Complementary Horizons
This bid does not need to be seen as in competition with Rwanda, but as a complementary addition to the renewed passion in Africa to host motor sporting events. Currently, Formula One is dependent on four races in the Middle East to bookend the season when the weather in most of the rest of the Northern Hemisphere is too cold.
Conversely, the weather in southern Africa during the European winter is benign and most suitable for an F1 weekend. Further, the Middle East may become a long-term problem for Formula One with ongoing regional conflicts showing no end in sight.
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A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
