F1 in South Africa? Government makes an official move to close the deal.

F1 in South Africa? Government makes an official move to close the deal.

After years of speculation, failed bids and poor advocacy for F1 to host a race in South Africa, today, Minister Gayton McKenzie announced an official move to bring F1 back to South African soil after its three-decade long hiatus. From his inauguration into cabinet earlier this year, Minister McKenzie has been clear of his intentions to bring F1 back to the country, and has since launched a series of meetings with F1 and the FIA and taken local active measures to show his seriousness. To quote what he said a few months ago, re-iterated today - “My tenure will be a failure, if F1 doesn’t come back to South Africa.”

One of these measures was his announcement today, of an official Bid Steering Committee that will be tasked with ensuring that South Africa submits an official bid to F1 that is executed in the best possible way. It’s an official formalisation of something that has, up to now, been done behind closed doors without much knowledge, insight or accountability. Now with a formal Bid Steering Committee, the formal bid has an official mandate that is overseen and supported by the South African government. Minister McKenzie announced a diverse team of people from various backgrounds and vocations, each with a level of experience that will ensure the official bid to host F1 is carried out in the best and most transparent way. The members of this committee are:

• Chairperson: Bakang Lethoko
• Anton Roux (MSA)
• Vic Maharaj (MSA)
• Gavin Varejes
• Rendani Ramovha (SuperSport)
• Andrew Dunn
• Timothy Harris
• Stephen Watson
• Shane Water
• Thabile Ngwato
• Charlie Lee Kruger
• Nomsa Chabeli
• Mlimandlela Ndamase

This Steering Committee has a tough few months ahead as it aims to finalise the bidding process by the end of February; and then have a solid proposal drawn up for Cabinet soon thereafter. Once Cabinet gives the green light, then it’s all systems go for the Committee to make a sound presentation to F1 to consolidate a date and pave the way for a race on the continent?

The announcement is a significant step in the process as it openly addresses a number of questions from other organisations and outfits who have had a keen interest to bid for F1. The stance is that anyone can make a bid, provided that the group or organisation has the sufficient credentials and infrastructure to be able to promote and host what is undoubtedly the largest and most logistically intensive motorsport show in the world. When questioned on whether South Africa has the skills and capability to pull it off, his response was typically positive. “If we can host the best FIFA World Cup, across the country over a month, what is 3 days?”

Some see the announcement as a purely politically-influenced move after some criticism from other organisations who have felt that Minister McKenzie’s actions have not been fair or transparent - this announcement has answered these questions to some extent by opening the invitation process up to all qualifying organisations. With only 2 months left to finalise bids, it begs the next question - is that enough time for companies to submit comprehensive bids given what may be required?

F1 in South Africa - Why?

The event today was attended and hosted by the Department of Sports, Arts & Culture, supported by the Gauteng Provincial Government with acting Premier Lebogang Maile in attendance as well as Dr Cynthia Khumalo, the Acting Director-General. Both emphatically highlighted the economic benefits of hosting F1 in South Africa including the revival of the tourist visitor-economy. These include increased bed nights, increased visitor spend, increased job creation with more than 70% of race preparations being sub-contracted out to local companies.

Minister McKenzie’s opening was a heartfelt thanks to Lewis Hamilton for his tireless efforts in shining a light on Africa and South Africa as a place for F1 to visit. But there was also an underlying message from Minister McKenzie about how we go about doing things. He slated previous failed attempts at the bid, he slated corrupt ways of trying to acquire this race and he slammed what he termed ‘small-thinking’ by South Africans who have a habit of self-sabotaging opportunities. Many reports have highlighted Rwanda and Morocco’s attempts to host an F1 race and instead of a negative or competitive view on this, Minister Mckenzie takes the view that, the more countries in Africa that can host a race, the merrier. “Why is it that we think Africa can only have one race? If Europe has seven races, why can’t we have two races? It cannot be that one country (Italy) has 2 races, and yet our whole continent has nothing. It can’t be. I am saying today. Africa’s time is here. And not only South Africa. Rwanda’s time is also here.”

Questioned on whether he thinks Kyalami should be the venue to host F1 in South Africa, his answer was: “As a Minister, I have no favourites. But as Gayton McKenzie, Kyalami is the answer. Kyalami gives us as politicians, all of the answers to F1 officials. When we get asked if we have a track? We can proudly say ‘Yes’.”

Minister McKenzie was also quick to congratulate the owner of Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, Mr Toby Venter’s commitment to racing in South Africa by self-financing the upgrades with no other external funds being used. “I want to congratulate Toby Venter because the rules of F1 have changed - and so Kyalami has done upgrades to keep up to date with F1 standards." Commenting on the state of the track upgrades, Mr Toby Venter pointed out that these plans were on track and that the upgrade to F1 Grade 1 status would be completed by the end of 2025.

There’s much to be said about a local F1 race. Where should it be hosted? Is it worth the effort and more importantly, the money? One thing is clear though - and that is a non-negotiable commitment by the government to doing the best job they can to win it. A formal committee of talented and experienced people is a good next step.

Minister McKenzie closed by saying “We are going to host the best F1 in the history of F1. South Africa is the greatest country.”

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