South Africa’s F1 Bid Steering Committee has noted an announcement by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) that it has approved the design proposals to upgrade the Kyalami circuit to Grade 1 status.
The circuit, which currently holds the FIA Grade 2 certification, was last upgraded in 2016, and has been given three years to complete the upgrades
According to the committee, Grade 1 is the highest international standard required for a circuit to qualify to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The committee said this is encouraging and bodes well for the country’s bid to host a race in the future.
“Whilst the committee believes this is positive news for South Africa and motorsport in our country, it wishes to clarify that the above announcement and development is entirely independent from the work of the committee.
The committee remains seized with the evaluation and adjudication of proposals received for the staging and promotion of an F1 Race in South Africa,” read a statement from the committee.
In addition, the committee said it’ll soon update on the outcomes of this process along with the preferred promoter for the country.
Circuit owners Toby Venter and Clive Bowen have welcomed the latest development, adding that they’re ready to bring the F1 back to the African continent.
“Today, we turn the page to a bold new chapter for Kyalami.
We are ready for the return of Formula 1 to African soil.
This is a defining moment for South African motorsport,” said the owners.
Locally, Cape Town and Wakanda Smart City in the Eastern Cape are also expected to submit their bids to FIA, while Rwanda and Morocco are the only two African countries who have shown interest to host an F1 race.
