The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Honourable Minister Gayton McKenzie had today, Wednesday 18 December announced the diverse team of experts he has invited to form part of South Africa’s Bid Steering Committee (BSC) for the return of Formula One (F1) to the country.
Announced during a media briefing held at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand, these experts will be responsible for all aspects of preparing a bid for the consideration of the Formula One Group and global motorsport’s governing body, the FIA. This will include a phase of choosing which city and track to put forward for consideration.
The BSC will coordinate the bid process and ensure that all necessary requirements are met. They will be the only recognised body to engage with F1 officials and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive bid document, to be endorsed by the South African Cabinet, before being submitted to the Formula One Group for consideration.
Addressing stakeholders, guests and media at the event at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg, the Minister began by paying tribute to F1’s most successful driver in history, Lewis Hamilton, who has long advocated for South Africa to join the F1 calendar. Hamilton has expressed the dream to drive at a race in South Africa before the end of his career.
“Lewis Hamilton, we want to pay tribute to you and your activism. You introduced so many of us to Formula One and turned us into passionate fans today. You inspire us with who you are as driver, a person and a tireless activist for what you believe in. We want to crown your career by seeing you race here. Thank you, Lewis,” said the Minister.
He then outlined some of the key issues and strategic matters around the bid, reflecting on the fact that the last time South Africa hosted an F1 race was way back in 1993.
“There has never been an F1 race in South Africa since the dawn of democracy, and that must change.”
Addressing the fact that other African countries, including Morocco and Rwanda, have also expressed interest in hosting F1, the Minister cautioned against treating the matter as a zero-sum game.
“Europe has 10 races, if you include Baku. One country, Italy, has two F1 races. Africa, with 54 countries, does not even have one race. So, there’s no reason that we can’t all put our name forward, and support each other, to make sure that the World Championship takes place everywhere in the world, as it should.”
The Minister pointed out that Rwanda, a country with a GDP nearly 30 times smaller than South Africa’s, and facing more severe poverty, had seen the value of Formula One, in answer to critics who have questioned whether South Africa is able to afford hosting a race.
“The question is not whether we can afford to bring Formula One back to South Africa, but rather whether we can afford not to. I believe we cannot afford not to,” added the Minister, emphasising that the Government of National Unity under President Cyril Ramaphosa was fully behind the plan to back F1’s return.
The race will showcase South Africa, and the Southern African region, to the world, bringing in numerous benefits in the form of boosted tourism, global prestige and the enhancement of the South African brand and helping to boost the development of motorsport in Africa.
The Minister pointed out that the F1 programme would focus on developing young drivers, especially from poorer communities, as well as women.
“The only woman to ever win a Formula One race was a South African, Desiré Wilson, in 1980,” said the Minister, adding that he wanted to ensure that motorsport be made more accessible and not an elitist sport.
“The Ayrton Senna Institute has helped to educate 15 million Brazilian children. F1 provides an amazing platform to change lives in a developing economy – let no one tell us otherwise.”
The event was also graced by the presence of Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile, who expressed unequivocal support for the return of F1. He made it clear that he believed Gauteng should be considered the premier host province for such a mega-event, while recognising that the final decision over where the race should go would be decided by the open bidding process.
The members of the steering committee are:
Ms Bakang Lethoko (Chairperson)
Mr Anton Roux
Mr Vic Maharaj
Mr Rendani Ramovha
Mr Gavin Varejes
Mr Andrew Dunn
Mr Timothy Harris
Mr Stephen Watson
Ms Thabile Ngwato
Ms Charnie-Lee Kruger
Mr Shane Wafer
Mr Mlimandlela Ndamase
Ms Nomsa Chabeli
Speaking at the event, Ms Lethoko advised that the Committee would be publishing a request for proposals, with the guidelines as per the Formula One Group, by the end of the week. Interested parties would be given a short time frame to compile their bids for submission by the middle of February.
Explaining the quick turnaround time, the Minister said: “We are not looking for bids from people who need to learn about Formula One. They need the experience, know-how, money, sponsor, relationships, and so much more. The Committee is being entrusted to pick the best. My role ends for now and theirs begins; then we will assess the winning bid once it is given to government for consideration and, hopefully, for submission to Formula One.”
He further explained that South Africa was targeting inclusion on the 2027 F1 Calendar, but 2026 could also happen, “if we are lucky”.
For media enquiries:
Mr Chade Kramer, Acting Spokesperson: Office of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: ChadeK@dsac.gov.za │ Cell: +27 60 989 5711
Ms Zimasa Velaphi, Head of Communication and Marketing: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za │ Cell: +27 (0) 72 172 8925
Issued by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture
