South Africa refuses to give up on Formula 1 Grand Prix ambitions

Pulse Sports Team 08:01 - 16 October 2026

Earlier this week, Formula 1 announced plans to return to Africa at the start of the next decade with a brand-new race in Rwanda, set to be titled the African Grand Prix.

While that event is expected to debut in 2030 or 2031, Formula 1 could make its continental return even sooner. South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, indicated that his country has not abandoned its bid to host a Grand Prix as early as 2028 or 2029.

"I want to congratulate Rwanda on securing a place on the Formula 1 calendar at the start of the next decade," McKenzie began. "We in South Africa are very happy that Rwanda was awarded this slot, and I want to directly congratulate their President (Paul Kagame) and the people of Rwanda. "I have seen some comments claiming 'South Africa was beaten,' and I want to address that. This is not a raffle. I repeat, this is not a raffle. Rwanda applied years before I even imagined becoming sports minister. Rwanda did the necessary work. "We came into office, I was appointed, and we are fulfilling everything Formula 1 requires of us. Bidding for a spot on the F1 calendar is not a race between nations. People say Rwanda beat us, but that is not the case. We, as South Africans, are still targeting 2028 or 2029. Rwanda simply delivered what was asked of them. "We are South Africa. We have engaged with key stakeholders, specifically the sponsors. We have several major partners on board and one principal backer whose identity I cannot disclose just yet, but that will happen soon," McKenzie added.