F1 Kyalami 2023 confirmed

Glued to the screen for the Belgium Grand Prix at Spa on Sunday, I was surprised by a carousel news flash stating that Spa will be back in 2023. Just like many South Africans, I was left feeling a little empty at the thought that Kyalami will not happen next year.  But why? I thought everything was going well, or at least that is what a few media publications had sold us.

Chatting to the promoter throughout the process and around the reasons it’s not happening, a statement around any concrete details will not be shared. That is something we can appreciate, given the complexity. But this does leave us to deduce for ourselves the reason behind 2023 not getting the green light.

The fee to host a Formula One race is about $35-million (around R608-million). That’s a lot of money. Think about packages ordered from Europe and the costly import costs and duties to get them here. Multiply those efforts to match what it would take to get an event like F1 with all its infrastructure to South Africa. The trucks, equipment, spares, team infrastructure … Mind blown yet? 

Logistics aside, Kyalami itself is just not ready yet. According to excerpts of reports, about $10-million is needed for track upgrades. The focus in F1, especially since Romain Grosjean’s fiery accident in Bahrain 2020, has heavily centred on improving driver safety. Sure, Monaco gets away with it, but they’re firmly established into the F1 circle. 

Despite having hosted F1 in 1993, we’re outsiders needing to conform to the rules. Significant adjustments such as adding increased run-off room are required. The tec-pro barriers must be sourced and shipped into the country, which takes time. 

Kyalami remains a world-class venue. A friend who races in the Le Mans Cup in Europe on tracks like Imola, Monza, Portimao and the Red Bull Ring confirms it is world-class and in some cases better. That sort of assurance is something valuable to add into the conversation. 

Behind each organisation are prudent business leaders who will not make rash or financially risky decisions just to make something happen. Toby Venter has said, “I’m in for it but not at all costs.” 

Although it is frustrating to those like myself who wanted something to happen sooner, this approach will stand us in better stead. This is not just a once-off event, but possibly an event that will recur long after young guns such as Lando Norris retire. 

Even with the debacle, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. This entire exercise shone a spotlight on the desperate hunger for world-class entertainment. It also showed the enthusiasm from all invested parties, including F1 boss Stefano Domenicali. 

Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton and reigning champion Max Verstappen have both voiced their keen interest to race in South Africa. At no point am I trying to make any excuses around this organisation. Rushing anything never works out the best.

So for now, 2023 is a no-go, but as for 2024, that is very much still possible. Until the eventual green light, let’s keep supporting and building that excitement for when it does happen. We will be properly entertained.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Mail & Guardian.

Like many watching the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, and seeing the FIA-approved news that Spa would host the 2023 leg once more, had me deflated. What did this mean? Sadly, no deal has been signed to host an Formula One race at Kyalami. 

The reckless way certain media went chasing clicks by announcing that the race would happen, off the back of some half-baked frozen nuggets of information, kick-started a hype train with immense energy. A positive spinoff is that we learnt that South Africans are hungry for it. But we will have to wait a bit longer. 

More details will follow in due course but perhaps this was – allow me to play devil’s advocate here – a blessing in disguise. Why? For starters, given the sheer gravity of the logistics and planning behind hosting an event of this nature, anything short of a perfect job could see us off the list for good, and we certainly don’t want that. Think long game here.

The reason? Well, as I said, more details will follow, but what we do know is owing to a host of complexities behind the scenes to ensure Kyalami, Motorsport South Africa, F1 and the promoter all sing from the same hymn sheet, an agreement could not be reached. I mean, there is a lot of money behind this. It’s certainly not a trivial transaction like buying a loaf of bread from the convenience store. 

One of the logistical issues is getting the track to the necessary grade. Funding and time are needed for track modifications such as the procurement of safety barriers and construction to increase the runoff room at several turns. Yes, how street circuits like Monaco and Baku get away with it is a contentious topic but let’s play by the rules and make the authorities happy.

Some good news is this certainly doesn’t mean the deal is off the table. It just means more time is needed to get all the ducks in a row. None of the heads of the powers that be will be rushed into a deal, so let’s all practise patience. Coming from a millennial, this took restraint, even to type. For now, let’s enjoy the sport and save a little for those tickets when the time does come, and when it does, that sweet moment will be the sweetest.

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