{"id":16290,"date":"2025-07-16T13:54:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T11:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=16290"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:14:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:14:48","slug":"sa-f1-grand-prix-gayton-mckenzie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/sa-f1-grand-prix-gayton-mckenzie\/","title":{"rendered":"SA on the Brink of Confirming F1 Grand Prix at Kyalami, Says Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-south-africa-may-soon-secure-its-place-back-on-the-formula-one-calendar-with-a-2027-kyalami-grand-prix-top-sponsors-and-fia-have-given-the-green-light-for-upgrades\"><em>South Africa may soon secure its place back on the Formula One calendar with a 2027 Kyalami Grand Prix. Top sponsors and FIA have given the green light for upgrades.<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa is roaring back onto the global motorsport map, and it may be sooner than fans think. Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has confirmed that South Africa is <em>\u201con the brink\u201d<\/em> of clinching a spot on the Formula One calendar. A high-stakes Grand Prix at Kyalami, potentially taking place in 2027 is on the cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-race-decades-in-the-making\">A Race Decades in the Making<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If finalised, this will be the first F1 Grand Prix in South Africa since 1993. Racing legend Alain Prost took the chequered flag at the historic Kyalami circuit. The news has sparked excitement among fans and stakeholders, many of whom have long advocated for the sport\u2019s return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kyalami first hosted a Formula One race in 1967. It has since become a sacred ground for motorsport enthusiasts. Now, the FIA has approved critical design upgrades to bring the circuit from Grade 2 to Grade 1 \u2014 the standard required to host F1 events. Kyalami\u2019s return to the world stage looks imminent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-918896878\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gayton-mckenzie-backed-by-big-names\">Gayton McKenzie, &#8220;Backed by Big Names&#8221;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a passionate address to Parliament, McKenzie outlined the R2 billion cost involved in hosting the event. He made it clear this time, taxpayers won\u2019t foot the bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGovernment will not be expected to pay,\u201d said McKenzie. \u201cCompanies like MTN, MultiChoice, Heineken, and even Johann Rupert, the richest man in the country, have raised their hands. They will be present with us at the meeting with Formula One management.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The final \u201ccrucial meeting\u201d between South African stakeholders and Formula One executives is scheduled within the next two weeks. This gathering could be the turning point for locking in the 2027 Kyalami Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CHECK OUT: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/city-power-ev-charging-stations\/\">City Power to Launch EV Charging Stations Across Johannesburg<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-economic-engine-of-f1\">The Economic Engine of F1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the racing thrill, McKenzie sees the Grand Prix as a major economic catalyst. As a result, potential benefits are enormous. They range from tourism and global media coverage to temporary job creation,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo those who say the country can\u2019t afford to host the F1, I\u2019m saying the country can\u2019t afford <em>not<\/em> to host it,\u201d McKenzie asserted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His sentiment echoes what many believe. South Africa\u2019s absence from the F1 calendar is a glaring omission in what\u2019s supposed to be a <em>world<\/em> championship. Currently, no African country hosts a Grand Prix, making this proposed event historically significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3492703246\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kyalami-circuit-ready-to-race\">Kyalami Circuit: Ready to Race<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>4.5km Kyalami layout<\/strong> will remain unchanged, but the FIA-approved upgrades will enhance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Run-off areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Debris fencing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barrier systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drainage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kerbs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These improvements align Kyalami with modern F1 safety standards without sacrificing its iconic structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-potential-ticket-pricing\">Potential Ticket Pricing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While no official ticket prices have been announced, they\u2019re expected to be in line with international races. For reference, the cheapest adult ticket at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix cost about R2,000. This indicates a premium event aimed at both local and international attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2571321771\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cape-town-s-bid-rejected\">Cape Town\u2019s Bid Rejected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Three bids were considered by McKenzie\u2019s F1 bid steering committee. They included two from Cape Town and one from Kyalami. Though no formal declaration has been made, Kyalami is widely expected to be the winning circuit. This is due to its legacy, infrastructure, and readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-next\">What\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The clock is ticking toward a historic decision. If successful, South Africa will rejoin the elite list of F1 host nations. Kyalami will once again echo with the sound of turbocharged engines, bringing the <em>\u201crainbow nation\u201d<\/em> to a global audience of hundreds of millions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-46490802\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-lap\">Final Lap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Minister McKenzie, a lifelong motorsport fan, this is more than policy \u2014 it\u2019s a personal mission. Since taking office in July 2024, he has relentlessly pursued this goal. He even met <a href=\"https:\/\/corp.formula1.com\/team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali<\/a> at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to jumpstart talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And now, with the final pieces lining up, South Africa\u2019s long pit stop from Formula One may finally be over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/gauteng.news\/2025\/07\/15\/mercedes-benz-range-rover-cars-recalled\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover Cars Recalled in SA<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SA on the Brink of Confirming F1 Grand Prix at Kyalami, Says Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":16297,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"SA on the Brink of Confirming F1 Grand Prix at Kyalami, Says Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie","footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-16290","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-car-reviews"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16290"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16290\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16304,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16290\/revisions\/16304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}