South Africa is negotiating with at least six companies to raise $100 million in private funding to revive Formula 1 racing at home, amid intensifying competition from Morocco and Rwanda to host the sport’s long-awaited return to the continent, Bloomberg reported.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has asked firms to commit funds over three years to secure Treasury backing for the proposal. The money would cover hosting fees owed to Formula One Management (FOM).
The country last hosted a Grand Prix in 1993 at Kyalami Raceway near Johannesburg. McKenzie reportedly met F1 executives during the Singapore Grand Prix two weeks ago, but South Africa has yet to file a formal bid and is running out of time to secure a slot for the 2027 season.
Africa is the only populated continent without a Formula 1 event, and Morocco has been actively positioning itself to change that.
The North African kingdom last hosted a Grand Prix in 1958 at the Ain-Diab Circuit in Casablanca but has since invested heavily in international sporting infrastructure. Rabat has used global events to strengthen its soft power, from the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to the joint hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Reports in Moroccan media suggest Casablanca and Marrakech have both been considered for potential F1 revival projects, leveraging the country’s expanding transport networks, new hospitality capacity, and government-backed sports diplomacy.
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