[imagesource: Kyalami Circuit]

In July, so-called Formula One ‘insiders’ took to social media to say that our spot in the racing calendar next year was confirmed, based on their information that F1 and DHL signed a five-year contract to ship all goods and cargo to South Africa.

Those sources look foolish now, considering that the 2023 line-up has been announced and Kyalami is nowhere to be seen.

Next year will see the season extended to 24 races, which includes a debut Las Vegas GP and returning races in China and Qatar.

I guess that means we’re locked in for hosting a race in 2024, right? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, as GP Blog points out:

F1’s alleged return to South Africa raised many questions within the country, as the government seemed to show little interest in the event.

For instance, nothing was reportedly done to gauge public interest, nor the economic impact an event of this calibre could have on the country. Questions on the subject from the media were also not responded to…

When pressed, the office of South African Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, confirmed to Sport24 that it “has not conducted any research and/or work with any Departments nor the private sector to measure the interest and identify the economic impact”.

There’s also the small matter of funding the necessary upgrades to the Kyalami Circuit, which currently has FIA Grade 2 certification.

This means it’s eligible to host a number of FIA-backed motoring events, but not F1.

A report last month from RacingNews365 stated that hopes for a 2023 race were dashed after negotiations between F1, the local race promoter, and the owners of the Kyalami circuit broke down:

Although Formula 1, owned by Liberty Media, is determined to stage a race in Africa, a new promoter is likely to be sought, with 2024 now the revised target date…

Billionaire Patrice Motsepe… initially held talks with SAGP with a view to funding the event on a loan basis, but the company was unable to meet the circuit lease conditions stipulated by Kyalami…

Image: Double Apex

Motorsport South Africa, the FIA’s local sporting authority, had also expressed concerns about the compressed timeframe, pointing out that the country had not hosted a Grand Prix for 30 years.

Completing the necessary upgrades in time, which would include installing tech-pro barriers at certain corners, replacing gravel run-off areas with tar, and upgrading the venue to accommodate as many as 90 000 visitors, was deemed a push.

What is now obvious is that the promoters who were pushing for a 2023 SA Grand Prix failed, due in some part to not getting the necessary government interests involved, and a new promoter will need to lead the charge for 2024:

From the Kyalami Circuit’s side, they are ready and need the necessary support to bring about the upgrades. And it could open the door for a new race promoter to work more closely with the South African government to make F1’s return to South Africa a reality.

Image: Kyalami Circuit

This includes approaching the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture for financial support. And a comment in the office’s response suggests that they were not approached for monetary support.

I get the reluctance to work with our government institutions, but if we want a 2024 race then there needs to be greater cohesion between the private and public sectors.

South African F1 fans have now waited 29 years since we last hosted a race. If we can get 2024 right, that wait will be capped at 31 years.

[sources:gpblog&sport24&rnews365]