With an ambitious project in Cape Town, South Africa is looking to host Formula 1 again on a circuit designed around the DHL Stadium, which was inaugurated for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa is making history with an innovative proposal to bring Formula 1 (F1) back to the African continent. Cape Town has presented a plan to transform the area surrounding the DHL Stadium—built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup—into an urban circuit.
This ambitious project aims to return the pinnacle of motorsport to the world’s largest continent, the only region currently absent from the F1 calendar. South Africa last hosted a Grand Prix (GP) in 1993 at the Kyalami circuit, which had been the home of the South African GP from 1967 until its final race in 1993.
Now, after an initial bid in Kyalami was rejected, the South African government is backing the Cape Town circuit, designed by German engineer and F1 track specialist Hermann Tilke. The proposed layout spans 5.7 kilometers along the Green Point waterfront.
Additionally, Igshaan Almay, CEO of the project, emphasized in an interview with Motorsports the logistical advantages of the venue, including its proximity to the city’s airport and an extensive selection of hotels for F1 fans attending the event. The South African GP could attract an estimated 250,000 spectators over the race weekend.
Tough Competition for 2028
This project faces strong competition, as several emerging locations are vying to host an F1 race in the 2028 season. Among them are Thailand, South Korea, and Rwanda—the latter also aiming to bring Formula 1 back to Africa.
