Cape Town is bidding to host an F1 Grand Prix in 2027 'The location is perfect! A sexy F1'
Igshaan Amlay, CEO of Cape Town Grand Prix, explains why the city is a top contender.
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (C) celebrates after winning the sprint race while McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri (background) leaves his car after coming in second in the sprint race of the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai on 22 March 2025. Picture: Jade Gao/AFP
CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to Igshaan Amlay, CEO of Cape Town Grand Prix, about the bid to have a revived South African Grand Prix hosted in the Mother City.
Listen below:
The last Grand Prix on African soil was held in 1993; will it make a comeback?
Sports minister Gayton McKenzie is confident about South Africa’s chances. “The Grand Prix is definitely coming in 2027; no doubt about that,” he said in early February.
“Whether it is Cape Town or Joburg, we do not care as long as the Grand Prix is coming to South Africa," the Minister continued.
Kyalami in Johannesburg is gunning to host a South African Grand Prix.
But that isn't stopping Cape Town from putting in a bid to host the event, says Amlay.
Amlay explains why Cape Town would make a grand location for this event.
"Cape Town has always been pushing for the bid... we've just been voted the top tourist destination in the world... it has all the bells and whistles of a 'sexy Formula 1'... Monaco being the French Riviera, we'll be the African Riviera... all the requirements from Formula 1 like hospitality, hospitals, hotels and all other entities required to be close to the circuit is fortunately on the circuit..."
- Igshaan Amlay, CEO - Cape Town Grand Prix
"If you look at the location, it's the only circuit in the world that's got a natural background of Table Mountain as one of the eighth wonders of the world, we've got Robben Island on the other side, the world-renowned V&A Waterfront and Signal Hill... we've got the world-class stadium, so naturally the shots taken along the circuit would become natural backdrops and promoting Cape Town on another level... the location is perfect."
- Igshaan Amlay, CEO - Cape Town Grand Prix
"I think a street circuit makes economic sense because the track will become a tourist attraction long after the race has ended."
- Igshaan Amlay, CEO - Cape Town Grand Prix
In terms of funding, Amlay says, the team is looking at 'outside investors' but the main aim is to make the event accessible for the residents of Cape Town.
"One of the main objectives of Cape Town Grand Prix SA is to bring Formula 1 to the people and make it more accessible..."
- Igshaan Amlay, CEO - Cape Town Grand Prix
"Cape Town Grand Prix SA is looking at outside investors to assist in investing to make this event a reality... we are trying to minimise costs from the City, however, we are also looking for support from the City as they offer support for various other big events hosted in Cape Town."
- Igshaan Amlay, CEO - Cape Town Grand Prix
Listen: What is the likelihood of a Formula One Grand Prix returning to South Africa?
Scroll up to the audio player for the conversation.