The Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, is confident they are one step closer to seeing the return of Formula 1 to South Africa. The pinnacle of motorsport has not been to South Africa since 1993 and McKenzie is on a mission to make it happen. 

On the weekend, McKenzie held – what he called – a very successful meeting with the CEO of Formula One, Stefano Domenicali, during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.

James Hunt leading the 1997 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Photo: Grand Prix 

The return of Formula 1 to South Africa is nothing new and has been in the pipeline for the past years. However, it is a costly exercise and something that will need financial backing. It is something that could also bring money into the country through tourism.

Shortly after McKenzie was appointed as the new minister of sport, he proclaimed that his term in office would be a failure if he did not succeed in bringing Formula 1 back to South Africa.

Just completed a very important meeting with Stefano Domenicali, Formula One Group CEO. We are one step closer to bringing it to South Africa. I wanna thank Minister of Youth & Sport of Azerbaijan, HE Farid Gayibov for arranging this meeting and hosting me. GNU at work Ntate ???? pic.twitter.com/7l7WGJqvU6

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) September 14, 2024

Rwanda has been tipped as a strong favourite to host the return of Formula 1 to Africa.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh