Formula 1 Managing Director Stefano Domenicali traveled to South Africa after the Azerbaijan GP: The premier class is scheduled to drive on the traditional Kyalami circuit again in 2023.
Formula 1 has held 24 World Championship races in Africa since 1950, but there hasn’t been a World Championship race from South Africa for almost twenty years. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has stated several times: “We are constantly working on our strategy for how we want to develop Formula 1 further. Aside from expansion in America and China, we’re aiming to return to Africa, which is definitely a patch of land that’s missing from our calendar.”
The 57-year-old from the GP city of Imola flew to South Africa for negotiations following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in order to intensify negotiations for a return to the traditional race. The last South African Grand Prix took place in 1993, in Kyalami (near Johannesburg). There have been projects in Cape Town, Tunisia and Morocco over the years.
When Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton was asked in a media round some time ago where he wanted to see the premier class drive in the future, the Mercedes star said: “In order to have a full world championship, we should compete in Africa again.”
The Kyalami circuit (4.529km long) has undergone a major refresh but does not currently hold the Grade 1 license required to host Formula 1 races.
The Formula 1 constitution Concorde Agreement regulates the sporting and economic relationships in the triangle of Formula 1, the world autosport association FIA and racing teams. This agreement is designed for a maximum of 25 races per year until 2025. Already decided thing for 2023 is the return of Formula 1 to Las Vegas.