Johannesburg – South Africa’s F1 Bid Steering Committee says the announcement that Kyalami will be awarded a Grade 1 certification to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix was “positive”.
Earlier this week, Toby Venter, owner of the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit, announced that the International Automobile Federation (commonly referred to as the FIA) has approved Grade 1 upgrade plans for the historic course.
However, the Bid Steering Committee revealed that this decision by the FIA was “independent from its work”.
On Thursday, 19 June 2025, the Bid Steering Committee said: “It noted recent announcements that the FIA has approved the design proposals that will result in Kyalami being a Grade 1 Certified circuit, the highest international standard for a circuit to qualify to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix”.
The Bid Steering Committee added: “This development is encouraging and bodes well for the country’s bid to host a Formula 1 race in the future.
“Whilst the committee believes this is positive news for South Africa and motorsport in our country, it wishes to clarify that the above announcement and development is entirely independent from the work of the committee.”
The committee said it remains seized with the evaluation and adjudication of proposals received for the staging and promotion of an F1 Race in South Africa.
The Committee said “in the near future”, it will make an announcement on the outcomes of this process along with the preferred promoter for the country.
The proposed upgrades, which could cost up to R180 million, include enhancing run-off areas, kerbs, barrier systems, debris fencing, and drainage.
Expanded spectator zones were also mooted.
