Gayton McKenzie Under Pressure Over F1 Africa 2027

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s sports minister, has provided an official update on the country’s push to bring Formula 1 back to the world championship calendar after last hosting a grand prix in 1993, as global pressure mounts on calendar capacity and modern hosting standards.

South Africa has positioned itself as a leading candidate to stage an African round in line with Formula 1’s stated ambition to return to the continent, but the process is unfolding amid direct competition from Morocco and Rwanda. All three countries are attempting to meet the technical, financial, and logistical requirements set by the FIA, which now serve as non-negotiable benchmarks for prospective hosts.

McKenzie acknowledged that the target of hosting a race in the 2027 season is no longer achievable following an internal assessment of the demands of modern Formula 1. These challenges extend beyond circuit construction to include supporting infrastructure readiness, safety standards, and long-term commercial commitments that are now integral to the selection process.

We are certain that hosting a race next season is clearly not possible.
We underestimated the scale of what is required to stage a Formula 1 event.

From a calendar perspective, Formula 1 has already begun implementing a rotation system to manage the growing demand from potential hosts without significantly expanding the number of races. The impact of this policy is evident with the Belgian Grand Prix set to move to a biennial slot from 2027, further tightening opportunities for new venues.

Despite conceding delays, McKenzie stressed that South Africa is now preparing a more robust proposal by engaging international experts and adopting an approach aligned with Formula 1’s long-term strategic direction. The bid is positioned as a long-term investment aimed at ensuring credibility in the championship’s next phase of global expansion.

Formula 1 has guided us through this process.
But now we have the experts and are putting together an offer that will be difficult to refuse.