 Show Formula 1 (F1) may be making its way to South Africa for the first time in 30 years. It was reported in June that F1 was working towards a deal to see South Africa rejoin the international race calendar in time for 2023. Following this, the latest rumours suggest that plans are being finalized for the country to take the stage as part of next year’s race series. F1sasha, a prominent media figure in the local motoring scene, tweetedthis morning that DHL and F1 have signed a five-year contract.
This deal with DHL, according to F1sasha, will likely mean that the logistics company will shuttle F1 equipment to South Africa if the country does return to the calendar. The tweet was corroborated by F1Insider, who said that tickets will likely go for around R5,000.
It is important to note the rumour that the racing series will come to South Africa is still unconfirmed, as no official statement has been made by the F1 and the upcoming race season calendar is still provisional. Kyalami Grand PrixIf the rumours are true, the 2023 Formula 1 series will make an appearance at Kyalami Grand Prix circuit in Midrand, Gauteng. Following last month’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali travelled to South Africa to meet with Kyalami officials to discuss the possibility of reviving the track for future races, according to motorsport.com. The last time South Africa hosted an F1 event at the track was in 1993, and the venue will need to be updated in order to abide by today’s F1 standards. The ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine has ruled out the possibility of a Russian Grand Prix for the foreseeable future, and China’s strict Covid policies have raised doubts about F1 making an appearance there as well. Similarly, it is possible that France and Belgium will not be included in the final calendar for 2023. This means there is an opportunity for South Africa to slot into 2023’s line-up, as a maximum of 24 events are allowed per year. F1’s global director of race promotion, Chloe Targett-Adams, said that establishing a foothold in Africa was “something we’ve been working on for many years now.” Lewis Hamilton added his own comment, saying last month that “the place that I really feel is dear to my heart and most important to get a race back is in South Africa.” South Africa last hosted a grand prix at Kyalami back in 1993, which also staged the race between 1967 and 1985 before returning in 1992 following the end of apartheid. As part of F1's push to race on all continents and fully embrace its world championship status, talks have been ongoing about a potential return to South Africa for some time. Following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali has travelled to South Africa where he is set to meet with Kyalami officials and other stakeholders for further talks about reviving the race. Although 2024 had been mooted as a possible timeframe for the race to return, it is now understood that F1 could return to South Africa as early as next year, pending a successful outcome to talks in the coming weeks. The return of Kyalami would add to an already-congested calendar for 2023 that is poised to hit the 24-race limit enforced by the Concorde Agreement. The Qatar Grand Prix has already been confirmed as returning to the calendar as part of a new 10-year deal, following its inaugural event last year, while the first Las Vegas Grand Prix has also been announced for November 2023. China is another race that has a contract to return to the schedule next year, although its status remains unclear due to the country's ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Damon Hill, Williams FW15C, leads Alessandro Zanardi, Lotus 107B, Rubens Barrichello, Jordan 193, and Ivan Capelli, Jordan 193 Photo by: Motorsport Images From the existing 22-race calendar, the French Grand Prix looks set to drop off the schedule for next year, while doubts remain over the future of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been one of the most vocal figures calling for a return to South Africa, saying it was a place "dear to my heart" and that he thought it would highlight the "great following out there". Speaking at the Business of F1 Forum arranged by Motorsport Network and the Financial Times in Monaco, F1's global director of race promotion, Chloe Targett-Adams, said that a foothold in Africa was "something we've been working on for many years now". "COVID showed us that we can race quickly, but really to get where we want to be strategically, to build the sport and build the fanbase, it is a couple of years process," Targett-Adams said. "The US is still very much in our sights. Africa and Asia I think is where we need to be. If you look at China with the way that COVID has happened, we've been out of that market for maybe three years. Next year is still a question mark.
"Africa and Asia is the focus I think in the short- to mid-term, and how we race in Europe is also a big question, making sure we keep that heartland of the sport. "It's a wonderful position to be in, because everyone wants a race. That just gives us the best opportunity to create the most strategically-focused, growth-driven calendar that we've been able to do for many years." Will F1 ever come to South Africa?Formula 1 returns to Kyalami after almost three decades
Formula 1 racing is set to return to the African continent as early as the 2023 season with the return of the South African Grand Prix. Officials are in advanced talks about a return to the Kyalami circuit just north of Johannesburg.
Why is F1 not in South Africa?“The reason the F1 event is not taking place in 2023 is that the F1-appointed local promoter was unable to deliver on the financial guarantees,” he said. “The whole issue here is not a fault of the FIA, F1, MSA, or government's side. It was purely because the local promoter could not deliver.
Are 2023 F1 tickets available?Tickets for 2023 Formula 1 races will go on sale over the coming months, although some races are already on sale or even close to selling out. Fans can purchase tickets to Austria and Hungary Grands Prix already.
Will there be an F1 2023?F1 will hold its biggest-ever calendar in 2023, with 24 races scheduled for next season, up from the 22 races held in 2022 – which was initially set to be 23 races before the Russian GP was cancelled.
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