‘Lobola is ready’: South Africa can’t afford not to have a Formula One Grand Prix, says Gayton McKenzie

South Africa are intending to launch a bid to host a Formula One Grand Prix in 2027 – and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie insists that money won’t be a problem.

McKenzie announced a 13-person bid steering committee on Wednesday at the Kyalami circuit in Midrand, which hosted the last South African F1 Grand Prix in 1993.

The group includes Motorsport SA chairman Anton Roux and executive director Vic Maharaj, SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha and Bakang Lethoko, who is the chief of staff in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and will be the committee chairperson.

McKenzie allayed fears that there isn’t sufficient funds and government backing to realise legendary world champion Lewis Hamilton’s “dream” of bringing Formula One back to South Africa.

“We are going to bid for a race in South Africa. We want the world to know that South Africa is ready, and have one of the biggest communities of motorsport enthusiasts,” he said.

“South Africa also has the biggest contingent of people who will go outside South Africa to watch Formula One in other countries.

“I have the links, the dress, the suit, the lobola ready! We are going to host the F1. No person is bigger than the dream of holding the F1 in South Africa.

“Let us leave the egos (behind). Every person is allowed to put in their bid, and that is why we have brought a group of esteemed South Africans together.

“This F1 bid is so much bigger than just motorsport. We have brought people from the broadcasters, history, marketing... it’s so much more than just the fast cars.

“Many people say we can’t afford a Formula One (race)... Let me tell you, we can’t afford not to have Formula One.

“The amount of people, 70 million people watching the game (per race). It’s not about the car.

“Let’s take Baku (in Azerbaijan). Our GDP is five times bigger than Azerbaijan, and Baku is fighting to keep F1 because they realised the importance of the revenue, tourism...

“Hungary had 300 000 people at their race, and 200 000 people came from outside.

“South Africa has never been more ready (to host a Grand Prix). Some journalist made the comment this morning that our president is not supporting (our bid) like Rwanda, but that’s so far from the truth.

“In that whole Cabinet, there’s nobody that supports me more when it comes to F1 than President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“I am inundated with people who want to bring money and sponsor the F1 in South Africa. Everybody wants to get involved, so the money issue is the least of my worries. My worry has been sorted out already.”

McKenzie added that 2026 could be a possibility “if we are lucky”, but that SA were aiming for 2027. The bid committee will await presentations from interested parties, and decide on a preferred bidder in February.

“At the end of February, the bid committee will come back and say ‘Government, we have found our promoter. We have checked everything, and this promoter will not embarrass the country. This promoter will deliver the best F1 (race)’,” McKenzie said.

“Gauteng, Western Cape, Free State, you can put in your bid. The government is not going to be deciding – it is the bid committee that will decide.

“Are we having a street race? Are we having a race at Kyalami? Are we having a race in the Western Cape? Free State?

“No man has ever fought so hard for us to host a Formula One (Grand Prix again) on African soil. To Lewis Hamilton, thank you – words cannot adequately describe our joy, appreciation and gratitude, and our admiration that we have for you as a person, driver and advocate.

“You’ve given us the courage to speak up, and to say, ‘Let’s go for it’. We will not rest until your dream comes to realisation that you will race in South Africa.” | Independent Media Sport

SA F1 Bid Steering Committee

Bakang Lethoko (chairperson), Anton Roux, Vic Maharaj, Rendani Ramovha, Stephen Watson, Shane Water, Mlimandlela Ndamase, Charnie-Lee Kruger, Thabile Ngwato, Tim Harris, Gavin Varejes, Andrew Dunn, Nomsa Chabeli.