Revving Up In Cape Town: A First Look At South Africa’s Potential New F1 Venue

After a period of over three decades, it is likely that Formula One is set to return to South Africa, with Cape Town emerging as a probable candidate to host a Grand Prix. The legislative capital is in the process of making a bid to stage the race on a 5.7 km street course that would be in close proximity to DHL Stadium. The ambitious undertaking, led by Cape Town Grand Prix SA (CTGPSA), is set to revive the heritage of the country in F1 and give a new impetus to the sport.

A Historic Return

The last time a South African race was hosted in the F1 was in 1993 in Johannesburg’s Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. Cape Town is currently vying to get the pinnacle of motorsport to return to the country, a planned street course that would deliver a unique and visually attractive race experience. Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has already given his support to the project, stating that it is in line with the government’s vision to get Formula 1 to return to South Africa. The potential tourism and financial benefits are primary drivers of this government interest.

CTGPSA is making every effort to complete its application to be put forward to South Africa’s Bid Steering Committee (BSC). The company is convinced that its vision is in keeping with the popularity of F1 street circuits across the globe, comparing it to such iconic races in Monaco, Singapore, Baku, Las Vegas, and Miami. The glory and prestige that attend such races, combined with their unique challenges to drivers, make them highly attractive to fans and sponsors, something Cape Town is eager to emulate.

The Street Circuit Concept

The proposed Cape Town 5.7 km street course would be a high-speed, challenging circuit that would be hosted on existing infrastructure in and around Cape Town’s DHL Stadium in Cape Town’s Green Point Sport Tourism Precinct. The layout of the circuit would be a dramatic backdrop to the race, providing a view of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. The natural backdrop would not only provide a visually attractive race to view on television around the world but also enhance the overall spectator experience for fans in attendance.

According to reports, the circuit would be around the DHL Stadium in the Green Point Sport Tourism Precinct in the city. As in the case of the Mexico City F1 circuit, race organizers plan to take the circuit around the DHL Stadium to increase seating capacity. The new design maximizes existing infrastructure use and offers a unique spectator atmosphere. The design of the track is a mixture of high-speed straights, tight turns, and tight chicanes that push drivers to their limits and provide plenty of opportunities to overtake. The use of different combinations of turns and straights is crucial to a great race, as it allows different cars to be competitive in different areas of the track, making it more strategic to race.

The design includes principal elements:

Location: The course is located in Cape Town’s Green Point Sport Tourism Precinct, adjacent to DHL Stadium.

Length: The proposed street course is 5.7 kilometers in length.

Inspiration: The design is taken from other high-profile street circuits around the world, such as Monaco, Singapore, and Miami.

Economic and Logistical Considerations

Hosting a Formula One Grand Prix can produce a tremendous amount of economic benefit to a city and a region. CTGPSA estimates that the Cape Town Formula E race in 2023 brought in over ZAR 1 billion (USD 53 million) in economic impact. An F1 race would likely produce even more revenue in tourism, hospitality, and ancillary sectors. The influx of foreign tourists, hotel occupation surge, and stimulation of local business all contribute to the economic benefit of such a high-profile race.

However, the project is also marred by financial and logistics issues. The construction and upkeep of a street course is expensive, and organizers need to be sure that infrastructure is to the safety specifications of the FIA. This involves improving existing roads, installing barriers and safety fencing, and constructing medical centers. Obtaining approvals from national and local government is also a time-consuming process that needs to be handled carefully. Winning over local communities and overcoming their fears is also key to making the project a success.

Competition and alternatives

Cape Town is not the only South African metropolis vying to host a Formula 1 race. Johannesburg’s Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is also preparing a bid, upgrading its infrastructure to meet FIA Grade 1 accreditation standards. Kyalami hosted the last of the South African Grand Prix in 1993 and boasts a heritage in motorsport that stretches many years back. Upgrading Kyalami would put the course in keeping with the current safety and technical requirements of Formula 1, making it a likely candidate to host a Grand Prix.

A purpose-built race course is also currently under construction in Cape Town alongside the Fisantekraal airport. The new course would be a possible substitute for hosting motorsport events in the province, though it would never be as attractive to the same extent that a heritage race course or a street course would be.

Each venue has its unique advantages and challenges.

The Cape Town Street Circuit is a visually pleasing backdrop and has high tourism revenue potential, in keeping with the trend of races in cities. The circuit is logistically demanding, requires a high investment, and is a safety risk in that it is a temporary street course. The reason that it is a temporary course is that it would require being set up and removed each year, making it logistically more costly to race there.

The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, on the other hand, is a tried and established race course of great heritage, though one that would require upgrading to FIA Grade 1 status and possibly lacks the same waterfront aesthetic of Cape Town’s position. The heritage and tradition of Kyalami would be a plus point in its favor, though, in that many would be eager to witness a return of Formula 1 to a classic race course.

The Formula E Experience

Cape Town has already shown that it is capable of hosting international motorsports when it hosted a race in the Formula E in 2023. The Cape Town ePrix was held in Cape Town in the 2023 season of Formula E. The 2.921 km (1.815 mi) street circuit was traced on Cape Town’s streets in South Africa.

The track was originally planned to be included in the calendar of the 2022 Formula E, but the race was cancelled. With October’s approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, the course was included in the official calendar of 2023 Formula E.

Located in Cape Town’s Waterfront precinct, close to Cape Town Stadium, it was estimated that the track would be one of the fastest on the calendar. The race lap record is a mean speed of 150.78 km per hour (93.69 mph). The race in Cape Town highlighted Cape Town’s ability to manage the logistics of a street race, including managing traffic, security, and spectator safety.

The Formula E race was a learning experience for the organizers and also highlighted the infrastructure and logistics of the city. The race also created a high level of media interest and put Cape Town in the spotlight as a possible F1 race venue. The success of the race proved that Cape Town is capable of staging large international motorsports events and has the infrastructure to do it, making it a boost to the organizers and also to the FIA.

What’s Next

The South African government also provided a new timeline to promote proposals to hold a Formula 1 Grand Prix. The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, in partnership with the Bid Steering Committee (BSC), also provided a new date of March 18 to receive the Request for Expression of Interest (RFE). The new timeline allows more time for potential bidders to complete their proposals and address any issues that need to be sorted out.

As CTGPSA is set to place a bid, it is consulting local and foreign partners, including F1 Circuit Designers & Consultants, to finalize the design of the raceway and work towards overcoming challenges that it is likely to face. Consultation of experts in raceway designing is to ensure that the proposed raceway is of high safety standards and a wonderful place to race. The organization is also in the process of getting funding and government support to facilitate the actualization of the project. Securing financial security in the long term is crucial to making the project a success, given that it ensures that the race continues for many more years to come.

The return of Formula 1 to South African soil would be a day of great significance for the nation and the sport. Cape Town’s bid presents a compelling vision of a one-off and exciting Grand Prix, set in one of the most lovely cities in the world. As tough competition is still in the air, the Mother City is set to fire up its engines to return the adrenaline of Formula 1 to South African soil. The union of a picture-postcard setting, a demanding circuit design, and a tried and tested track record of staging international motorsport events makes Cape Town a serious candidate to host a future Formula 1 Grand Prix. The fervor and perseverance of the organizers, coupled with government support and that of the local community, would be enough to turn this dream into a reality.