South Africa F1 bid: McKenzie eyes 2028 race after Rwanda

South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie insists his country has not lost the race for Formula 1 to Rwanda. He says South Africa is still aiming for a Grand Prix of its own in 2028 or 2029, years before Rwanda’s African Grand Prix is due to start.

As GPblog reported, F1 and the FIA signed a 10-year deal with Rwanda for a new circuit at Bugesera, with a debut planned for the early 2030s. Many fans read that as the end of South Africa’s hopes.

However, McKenzie does not see it that way and says that the country has not yet given up hope of staging an F1 race again.

So I’ve seen many comments of people saying, ‘Oh, South Africa was beaten, South Africa was beaten.’ So, I want to address that issue. This is not a raffle. This is not a raffle.

– Gayton McKenzie,

McKenzie targets 2028 or 2029 for South Africa

The minister made clear that South Africa still plans to bid, and that its timeline runs ahead of Rwanda’s. “No, Rwanda has not beaten us. We as South Africans are looking still at 2028, 2029. Rwanda has done what they needed to do,” he said.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, McKenzie said South Africa had “spoken to the most important people, which are the sponsors.” Clayson Monyela, head of public diplomacy at South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry, said the two countries were working to different timelines. He added that Rwanda’s arrival “doesn’t lock the door for others.”

South Africa’s last attempt to revive Kyalami collapsed ahead of the 2023 season, after promoters failed to meet Formula One Management’s financial guarantees.

Why should Africa only get one race?

McKenzie also questioned the idea that Africa has room for only one Grand Prix. He said: “While the Middle East got four F1s, the US got three. Europe got nine. Now you’d expect Africa to only get one. What type of thinking is that?”

His argument got some support from an unexpected place. Alex Wurz, the former F1 driver whose company is involved in designing the Rwanda circuit, told ORF that Bugesera could be just the beginning. “We might see one or two more Grand Prix races in Africa,” Wurz said.

Finding space is the hard part. GPblog has already looked at how F1 racing in Rwanda might put these Grands Prix at risk. A South African race in 2028 or 2029 would have to win its own slot on an already crowded calendar before Rwanda even arrives.

Ramaphosa congratulates Kagame

The tone from the top of the South African government was friendlier. On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa posted his congratulations on X, addressing Rwandan President Paul Kagame directly.

Ramaphosa pointed out that South Africa hosted the 1993 Grand Prix and said it “will be happy to provide any support we may be invited to share.” Kagame thanked him for the message and the offer of support, Taarifa reports.