Red Bull recently brought their 2011 F1 championship-winning RB7 car to Kyalami in South Africa for a demonstration run, marking the first time the sport has been at the track in over 30 years.
The last South African Grand Prix took place in 1993, and in recent years, there has been increasing demand for Formula 1 to return to Africa. David Coulthard, the former F1 driver, commented that it’s “clear” South Africa is “ready to rejoin” the sport if the opportunity presents itself.
The RB7 was flown in by helicopter to the Kyalami circuit, where Coulthard drove several laps. Kyalami previously hosted the South African Grand Prix from 1967 to 1985 and again in 1992 and 1993. Since then, the track has been resurfaced and reconfigured.
Although Kyalami currently holds FIA Grade 2 certification, there are reports in South Africa that the circuit is working to upgrade to Grade 1 status — the highest level of certification needed to host Formula 1 races. To achieve this, they are collaborating with Apex Circuit Design, the lead technical consultants behind the Miami Grand Prix.
Coulthard drove modern F1 machinery around the circuit and even performed donuts with local spinning champion Samkeliso “SamSam” Thubane.
After the demo, Coulthard took the RB7 to the center of Johannesburg to showcase Formula 1 ahead of what could be a possible return to Africa.
“Driving the RB7 here at Kyalami was unforgettable,” Coulthard said. “With South Africa’s energy and Kyalami’s world-class track, it’s clear the country is ready to rejoin the F1 calendar.”
Both Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have called for F1 to return to Africa in recent years. South Africa and Rwanda are considered potential candidates to host a race in the future.
However, the reports about Kyalami’s efforts to achieve FIA Grade 1 status are the strongest indication yet that the track is seriously aiming to bring F1 back to South Africa.
In a statement to the South African publication IOL, Kyalami Raceway said: “With its rich history of Formula 1 events at the circuit, Kyalami is perfectly suited to host top-tier international motor racing events.” They added that, along with Apex Circuit Design, they are working to prepare the circuit for FIA Grade 1 accreditation.
