Cape Town vs Kyalami: South Africa’s Formula 1 race heats up - 'The Mother City has a more global appeal'

CM

Celeste Martin

10 September 2025 | 4:14

"Kyalami is a wonderful track... a historical track… but it's just in the wrong place," says Neal Froneman, CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater.

Cape Town vs Kyalami: South Africa’s Formula 1 race heats up - 'The Mother City has a more global appeal'

An aereal view of the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, a motor racing circuit in Midrand, on February 3, 2025. In the aspiration of Lewis Hamilton, apostle of a return of F1 to the only continent deserted by the calendar, South Africa is mounting a bid to reorganize a Grand Prix, three decades later. Picture: AFP

"Kyalami is a wonderful track... a historical track… but it's just in the wrong place." 
- Neal Froneman, CEO - Sibanye-Stillwater

The South African government has thrown its weight behind a bid to host a Formula One (F1) Grand Prix at Kyalami in Gauteng in two years, a move already endorsed by Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and greenlit by F1’s governing body. 

ALSO READ:

Froneman thinks that the race should take place in Cape Town instead.

He argues that the Mother City's global appeal, infrastructure, and entertainment value outshine Gauteng’s historic Kyalami circuit.

Froneman explains that modern tracks now double as lifestyle destinations with condos, concerts, and commercial hubs. 

"A lot of Formula One fans are going to come from outside of South Africa, and I just think that Johannesburg is not a favoured destination. Cape Town has a higher traction for foreigners and tourists. Both events, whether they are held in Johannesburg or Cape Town, will create socio-economic growth - that goes without saying. But the other thing is, Formula One is no longer just a race, it's a catalyst for entertainment and a spectacle."
- Neal Froneman, CEO - Sibanye-Stillwater

While he insists there’s room for both locations - even wishing Kyalami organisers 'the best', Froneman believes Cape Town offers the only 'sustainable, long-term solution' for the country's place on the F1 calendar. 

"Having a race at Kyalami for the next three years is absolutely fine, we wish those organisers the best, but if you want a sustainable long-term solution, and I am talking for 10, 20 or maybe 30 years, it's got to be Cape Town."
- Neal Froneman, CEO - Sibanye-Stillwater

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.

Get the whole picture 💡

Take a look at the topic timeline for all related articles.

Trending News