South Africa’s iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is one step closer to welcoming back Formula 1 after the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) officially approved final design plans to upgrade the venue to Grade 1 status. This milestone means Kyalami could soon become the only circuit in Africa with the required certification to host the world’s premier motorsport series.
Constructed in 1961, Kyalami has long been a cornerstone of motorsport in Southern Africa. Its early years saw it become a preferred destination for European teams looking to compete during the northern hemisphere’s winter off-season. By the 1970s, the circuit had earned international respect, cementing its place on the global stage by hosting 21 Formula 1 Grand Prix races between 1967 and 1993. The Kyalami 9-Hour endurance race also gained international prestige as part of the World Sportscar Championship. The circuit even welcomed MotoGP between 1983 and 1985, further underscoring its broad appeal.
After decades of fluctuating fortunes, Kyalami underwent a major revival in 2014 when businessman Toby Venter purchased the property and committed to restoring it as a world-class venue. A major redesign and resurfacing effort in 2016 produced the current 4.522 kilometre layout, which holds an FIA Grade 2 licence. In recent years, Kyalami has proven its value beyond motorsport, serving as a successful multi-use venue with a packed calendar of exhibitions, business conferences, lifestyle events and automotive activations. This commercial sustainability has been a cornerstone of its modern identity.
The latest development, confirmed at a press conference held at the circuit, sees the FIA formally accept the final upgrade proposals for Kyalami to meet Grade 1 specifications. This paves the way for the return of Formula 1 to South African soil, a dream long held by motorsport fans on the continent. Circuit owner Toby Venter and Clive Bowen, founder of the UK-based design firm Apex Circuit Design, presented the plan which has been years in the making. Apex, a leading name in international motorsport infrastructure, is also behind the layout of the Miami Formula 1 circuit.
Venter described the FIA’s approval as a defining moment for motorsport in the region. “When we acquired Kyalami in 2014, we made a commitment to restore it not just as a world-class venue, but as a beacon for motorsport across the African continent,” he said. “The FIA’s acceptance of our Grade 1 design is a major step forward in that journey.”
Notably, the proposed upgrades do not involve changing the existing circuit layout. Instead, they focus on specific safety and infrastructure enhancements required under modern Grade 1 regulations. These include expanding run-off zones, updating barrier systems, improving kerbing and fencing, and upgrading drainage infrastructure. Bowen described the plan as a “light-touch upgrade in engineering terms” that elevates the already strong existing standards to meet today’s elite motorsport requirements.
The FIA has granted Kyalami a three-year period to complete the upgrades. Importantly, the phased construction will be carefully scheduled to avoid disruption to current events and tenants. While the approval is a major leap forward, further steps depend on South Africa securing a place on the Formula 1 calendar and Kyalami being selected as the host venue.
Still, the symbolic significance of this approval is hard to overstate. It positions Kyalami not only as a revived former Grand Prix venue, but as a modern global standard-bearer for African motorsport. As interest in motorsport across the continent continues to grow, the possibility of a South African Grand Prix would represent a huge cultural and economic boost for the region.
Kyalami remains uniquely situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria, making it an accessible destination for fans, businesses and international media. With its Grade 1 journey now officially underway, anticipation is building for the next chapter in its storied history.
“Today, we turn the page to a bold new chapter for Kyalami,” said Venter in closing. “We are ready for the return of Formula 1 to African soil.”
