The last South African Grand Prix was held at Kyalami in 1993, ending a long and memorable chapter in F1 history. Over the years, many have speculated about a return, and recently, new bids from South Africa and Rwanda have brought real hope that it could happen soon.

Historically, Kyalami holds a special place in F1. From 1967 to 1993, it hosted 21 Grands Prix, producing memorable moments like Jody Scheckter’s famous win in 1975 as the only South African to win his home race. However, political tensions during the apartheid era eventually led to the race being dropped. Since then, Africa has been the missing piece in F1’s global puzzle.

In the past few years, efforts to bring F1 back have picked up pace. Kyalami is once again at the heart of it. Plans are in place to upgrade the historic circuit to FIA Grade 1 standards, which is essential for hosting a Grand Prix, with around R177 million earmarked for improvements like extended runoff areas and updated safety features. The South African government is fully backing the project, hoping for a return by 2027.

Meanwhile, Cape Town has launched its own bid. Rather than reviving an old circuit, the city is proposing a brand-new 5.7-kilometre street track running past the Green Point Stadium and the waterfront, framed by the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain. The idea is to create a glamorous, Monaco-style event in Africa, and with Cape Town’s strong tourism infrastructure and experience hosting big events, it’s seen as a serious contender.

Adding to the competition is Rwanda, which recently made headlines by officially announcing its intention to host a Grand Prix near Kigali, by the soon-to-be-completed Bugesera International Airport. Former F1 driver Alexander Wurz is involved in designing the permanent circuit, and the project has strong backing from President Paul Kagame. Rwanda sees this as a chance to boost its international image and further its ambitions of economic transformation.

Each bid has its strengths and weaknesses.

Kyalami brings tradition, an existing circuit, and passionate local support. But it does require major upgrades to meet today’s strict safety standards.

Cape Town offers a modern, visually spectacular venue with strong infrastructure, but street circuits are costly to set up and can be logistically complicated. The calendar also already features a lot of street circuits.

Rwanda’s project represents a bold new frontier for F1, tapping into a fresh market with brand-new facilities, though building a track from scratch will be extremely expensive and could open debates around so-called ‘sportswashing’. Rwanda’s ambitions have also faced political controversy, with the Democratic Republic of Congo sending a letter of concern to the FIA, raising issues about regional tensions.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, have made it clear that returning to Africa is a priority. It’s the only continent currently missing from the calendar, and everyone, from fans to drivers like Lewis Hamilton, has called for change. Decisions on which bid might succeed are expected in the coming months, with 2027 looking like the earliest realistic date for a race.