South Africa targets F1 Grand Prix as Middle East races remain in doubt
South Africa says it has taken a major step toward bringing Formula One back to the country, as uncertainty over races in parts of the Middle East raises questions about future calendar slots.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said the government has now secured the guarantees needed to support a bid to host a Grand Prix and that talks with F1 management are continuing.
“Another area where progress has been made is South Africa’s ambition to return to the Formula One calendar. We have now secured the necessary government guarantee, which represents a major milestone,” McKenzie said.
He added that discussions are focused on “aligning the commercial and promotional aspects required to host a race,” and thanked private companies backing the push.
“I would like to thank the companies that have stepped forward to support this vision, especially Betway, Discovery, MTN, Canal Plus and SuperSport. Their willingness to invest in Formula One in South Africa shows that the private sector believes in South Africa’s ability to host world-class events,” he said.
McKenzie suggested Middle East instability could create an opening for new hosts, saying there have been questions about what would happen to races in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
Red Bull has also requested a meeting to support South Africa’s bid, a sign of growing momentum behind the campaign to return F1 to South African soil.
In the same briefing, McKenzie also addressed calls for African countries to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, saying South Africa does not support a boycott and that football “should not become a casualty of geopolitics.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
