Latest news with #KyalamiGrandPrix
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
'Don't laugh', F1 is coming to South Africa, McKenzie reiterates
South Africa has taken one step closer to hosting an F1 Grand Prix. David Coulthard performs during the filming of Racing Around Kyalami in Johannesburg, South Africa on October 4, 2024. Picture: Red Bull Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has reiterated that there's progress in bringing Formula One (F1) back to South Africa This will delight many fans, including the writer, who has to contend with tuning into paid TV on weekends to satisfy the pangs of an F1 adrenaline rush. McKenzie shared an update about the progress on the high-octane sport after presenting the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture's budget vote in parliament on Tuesday. South Africa took one step closer to hosting an F1 Grand Prix. But Kyalami Grand Prix circuit owner Toby Venter painted a grim picture and put a damper on celebrations, citing a lack of commitment from government. F1 is coming However, McKenzie expressed a different sentiment after presenting his budget vote. He said South Africa will have a Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) approved track sooner than expected. 'They [FIA] have given us three years to finish the track. But I can tell you, it's breaking news. It will take us four months to finish the track to that standard. People say it's three years, three years is what they've given us to go and get the money and to do the plans that they have approved. 'But I can tell you that a company, which is called Apex; they've also done the Miami track, they've already been paid the money. So the Toby Venter group, the Kyalami group, is paid, and the track will be between four and six months. I think the track will be done, and we will have a FIA-approved F1 track,' McKenzie said. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has reiterated that there's progress in bringing Formula One (F1) back to South Africa @TheCitizen_News — 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) July 16, 2025 ALSO READ: Kyalami or Cape Town? Race to host SA F1 Grand Prix revs up Kyalami British-based company Apex Circuit Design was last year tasked with drawing up the plans for upgrades Kyalami need to achieve the required Grade 1 status to host F1 racing. The grading is determined by the kilogramme-to-horsepower ratio. The ratio of F1 cars is the lowest of any motorsport class and therefore requires the highest FIA certification. In June, Venter announced that the FIA had approved the proposed upgrades Kyalami required to host a F1 race for the first time since 1993 and had been granted a three-year window to comply. He was confident that the upgrades, for which the circuit would foot the bill – estimated to be between R90 million and R180 million and set to take three months – could be completed before the end of the year. While Kyalami is the favourite to host an F1 race, other local bids are expected to come from Cape Town and Wakanda Smart City. Rwanda has also expressed its intention of being the first to bring F1 back to Africa. ALSO READ: REVIEW: Lego's Speed Champions F1, an adrenaline build No jokes McKenzie said people thought he was joking when he said F1 would return to the country. 'Many laughed when I uttered the words, 'Formula One must come back to South Africa'. One man in particular who didn't laugh was Toby Venter, the owner of the Kyalami racetrack, McKenzie said. 'When I told him that government doesn't have the money to host Formula One because of other more urgent priorities, and we would not be in a position to help him pay for the track to reach F1 standards, he looked me in the eye and said he would see it would be his patriotic duty to do just that. 'That was a year ago. I stand here to tell you that the FIA, the FIFA of motorsport, has given the green light for the upgrading of the track,' McKenzie said. Affordability McKenzie added that his department has had multiple meetings with F1 management, with a crucial one scheduled for the next two weeks. 'To those who say the country can't afford to host the F1, I'm saying the country can't afford not to. When you set the bar high for a country, as we have in the past, you can't afford to take the bar back down. 'We hosted the best FIFA World Cup. We put our country on the map for big events and should not turn back now. What will be different this time, though, is that government will not be expected to pay. Companies like MTN, MultiChoice, Heineken and many more have raised their hands and said, 'here we are, Thuma Rona'. They will be present with us in the meeting with Formula One at the end of the month,' McKenzie said. F1 is important McKenzie added that they have also met with other businessmen. 'We've even had patriots like Johann Rupert who've told us, 'Scream for help if all else fails'. So we know we will succeed. 'Those who are saying Formula One is not important should consider all the countries that are holding on to their F1 spots on the calendar. They see the value in it, and it can't be called a world championship if it misses an entire continent, sub-Saharan Africa in particular,' McKenzie said. Spinning McKenzie also thanked people who joined the department in its mission to grow the sport of spinning. 'I want to thank Red Bull and Cell C in particular. People were laughing when we said we're going to make spinning big, but already this sport has left the townships and now Sam Sam is wowing the likes of Max Verstappen with his skills in Austria'. 'The Kyalami Grand Prix circuit in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, hosted 21 Grands Prix from 1967 to 1993. 'Its list of winners includes Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Jim Clark and our very own Jody Scheckter.' ALSO READ: F1 in SA will be 'catalyst' for uplifting motorsport, McKenzie says
The South African
4 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Gayton McKenzie gives F1 update: 'Big meeting in TWO weeks'
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has revealed that a 'significant meeting' is set to take place in the next two weeks with representatives from Formula One. The Kyalami Grand Prix has been granted permission to modify its design, paving the way for a potential return of F1 to the country. 'Many laughed when I uttered the words 'Formula 1 must come back to South Africa'. One man in particular, who didn't laugh was Toby Venter, the owner of the Kyalami racetrack. 'When I told him that government doesn't have the money to host Formula 1 because of other more urgent priorities and we would not be able to help him pay for the track to reach F1 standards, he looked me in the eye and said he would see it [as] his patriotic duty to do just that. 'We have had multiple meetings with the management of F1, with a crucial one happening in the next two weeks.' The Minister was speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, presenting a R6.3 billion budget aimed at unlocking local talent in both sports and the arts and culture. 'To those who say the country can't afford to host the F1, I'm saying the country can't afford not to… We hosted the best FIFA World Cup. We put our country on the map for big events and should not turn back now.' According to McKenzie, what will be different this time is that government will not be expected to pay. Meanwhile, he announced that companies like MTN, MultiChoice, Heineken, and many others have expressed their support for this initiative. 'They will be present with us in the meeting with Formula 1 at the end of the month.' However, he stressed that those who believe that F1 is not important should consider the countries that are holding onto their F1 spots on the calendar. 'They see the value in it, and it can't be called a world championship if it misses an entire continent, sub-Saharan Africa in particular.' He also expressed gratitude to everyone who joined the mission to promote the sport of spinning, including Red Bull and Cell C. 'People were laughing when we said we're going to make spinning big, but already this sport has left the townships and now Sam Sam is wowing the likes of Max Verstappen with his skills in Austria.' Samkeliso Thubane, also known as Sam Sam, is a prominent South African spinning motorsport athlete sponsored by Red Bull. He is recognised as the world's first official Red Bull spinning athlete and has gained international acclaim for his skills, performing at the reopening of Red Bull Hangar-7 in Austria. The country is exploring the potential of bringing a LIV Golf tournament, a professional men's golf tour, to South Africa as early as next year. 'Golf has not broken through to the masses and we hope to achieve that with LIV Golf. It's not only golf, but also culture,' McKenzie said. The Minister said he hoped to eclipse Australia's attendance of more than 100 000 at a single event over three days. Meanwhile, he said the draft document has been developed, and plans are being finalised to send as many athletes as possible to the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. The Minister said last year, they travelled to Olympic House in Switzerland to express the country's interest in hosting the Summer Olympic Games in South Africa in 2036. McKenzie announced that they are finalising the funding process for video assistant refereeing (VAR) to ensure fairness in football matches, from the Premier Soccer League to international fixtures – meeting global standards. 'It is a necessity. We see stadiums vandalised when bad refereeing happens, and the success of teams like Mamelodi Sundowns makes global teams want to play here, but they get second thoughts because we don't have VAR.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Bavuma: Proteas win sinks in
Here's your daily news update for Wednesday, 18 June 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes returning home to a rapturous welcome from fans on Wednesday, captain Temba Bavuma said the magnitude of the Proteas team's achievement in London last week had only really sunk in when he and his squad entered the arrivals hall at OR Tambo International. Meanwhile, a total of 13 cars and a tour bus linked to the controversial businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize are set to be auctioned online next week. Furthermore, South Africa is one step closer to hosting a Formula One Grand Prix. But Kyalami Grand Prix circuit owner Toby Venter has put a damper on celebrations, citing a lack of commitment from government. Weather tomorrow: 19 June 2025 Damaging waves are expected between the Western and Eastern Cape, while very cold weather continues to grip parts of the Western Cape's interior as well as the Northern Cape. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Proteas 'overwhelmed' by welcome from fans, says captain Bavuma Returning home to a rapturous welcome from fans on Wednesday, captain Temba Bavuma said the magnitude of the Proteas team's achievement in London last week had only really sunk in when he and his squad entered the arrivals hall at OR Tambo International. Bavuma admitted the Proteas were taken aback by the thousands of people who turned up at the airport to welcome the team home after they won the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's four days earlier. Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and top-order batter Aiden Markram interacting with fans after returning home from the World Test Championship final in London. Picture: Alet Pretorius/Gallo Images The victory ensured they ended a 27-year trophy drought for the national cricket side, who last won a championship final at the 1998 Champions Trophy tournament. CONTINUE READING: Proteas 'overwhelmed' by welcome from fans, says captain Bavuma Police deployed to protect Gift of the Givers workers from water mafia in Eastern Cape Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has condemned threats made against humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers while they were providing assistance to flood-affected communities in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. The incident prompted both national and local government to denounce the criminal opportunism targeting disaster relief efforts. Eastern Cape floods. Picture: X/@CliffShiko Members of an alleged 'water mafia' reportedly connected to service providers contracted by the OR Tambo District Municipality allegedly threatened Gift of the Givers staff on Saturday, 14 June 2025, as they distributed clean drinking water to flood victims. CONTINUE READING: Police deployed to protect Gift of the Givers workers from water mafia in Eastern Cape Sars strikes: MaMkhize's luxury cars up for auction A total of 13 cars and a tour bus linked to the controversial businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize are set to be auctioned online next week. Bids for the 14 vehicles are welcome from 27 June to 2 July 2025. Among the luxury cars is a 2022 Mercedes-Benz S680 Maybach Edition 100, one of only 100 made worldwide. Picture: Bidders Choicer website. Some of the cars set to be auctioned, including the tour bus, still have Royal AM Football Club's branding on the sides. The soccer club, formerly known as Bloemfontein Celtics, was bought by Mkhize in 2021 and moved to KwaZulu-Natal. CONTINUE READING: Sars strikes: MaMkhize's luxury cars up for auction Sundowns off to winning start at Club World Cup Mamelodi Sundowns beat Ulsan HD 1-0 in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup at the Inter & Co Stadium on Tuesday. Iqraam Rayners scored the only goal of the match in what was an entertaining game between the two teams. Iqraam Rayners of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates his goal at Cape Town Stadium on 3 May 2025 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Rayners also had a goal disallowed due to offside against the Korean Republic outfit. The game was delayed by over an hour due to adverse weather conditions in Orlando, Florida. CONTINUE READING: Sundowns off to winning start at Club World Cup Kyalami closer to hosting F1, but government 'not playing its part' South Africa is one step closer to hosting a Formula One Grand Prix. But Kyalami Grand Prix circuit owner Toby Venter has put a damper on celebrations, citing a lack of commitment from government. Venter announced on Wednesday that the FIA has approved the proposed upgrades Kyalami requires to host a Formula One race for the first time since 1993 and has been granted a three-year window to comply. He is confident the upgrades, for which the circuit will foot the bill – estimated to be between R90- and R180-million – and set to take three months, can be completed before the end of the year. An artistic impression of the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit hosting an F1 race with new stands and hospitality areas around the track. Picture: Supplied But Venter stopped short of predicting a date for F1's big return, saying that 'government needs to engage with Formula One to make it happen like they do all over the world'. This, according to the Kyalami boss, is something that is required in addition to the Bid Steering Committee set up by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, which must consider bids for the F1 race. CONTINUE READING: Kyalami closer to hosting F1, but government 'not playing its part' Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Thabo Bester trial chaos | NW foot-and-mouth outbreak | Proteas meet and greet
Bloomberg
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Grand Prix Track Owner in South Africa Plans Upgrade Amid F1 Bid
South Africa's Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is planning an overhaul costing as much as a $10 million as the country prepares to submit a bid to host its first Formula 1 race in three decades. Kyalami, located between the capital Pretoria and Johannesburg, needs a number of upgrades to get grade 1 accreditation from industry body the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, the track's owner, Toby Venter, said at the circuit on Wednesday. The venue is working with the UK's Apex Circuit Design on the project, he said.
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VIDEO: Inside Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa's new ‘man-cave'
Workshop floor has enough space for 20 vehicles to be worked on at the same time. New facility has been opened in record time after being announced in October last year. Image: Charl Bosch A project that commenced in October last year, SVR, the firm entrusted with running Toyota's local motorsport operations underneath the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa banner, officially opened the doors of it new facility to select guests and the media on Thursday evening (15 May). Walkaround of the new Toyota Gazoo Racing plant Called the Toyota Gazoo Racing Motorsport Hub, but unofficially dubbed the 'man-cave', the 12 500 m2 facility, located not far from the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit, will not only serve as the home of Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, but the production hub for the Hilux Rally-Raid that competes in the Dakar Rally. ALSO READ: Wraps come off Ford's 2025 Rally Raid Series challenger Set to be expanded in the future, the purpose build factory has been fitted with a dedicated machine shop housing a dynamometer, a damper laboratory that tests and assess damper and suspension performance, bespoke engine roof and a work space where 20 cars can be worked on at the same time without worry of space constraints. First look at Safari-ready Hilux In addition to some of the manufacturing processes now being devised in-house instead of being outsourced, the tour also provides the first preview of the newly devised Hiluxes that will compete in this coming weekend's inaugural South African Safari, round three of the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. The pair of newly livered Hilux Rally-Raids will go for victory in this coming weekend's South African Safari Rally. Image: Charl Bosch Again, conforming to FIA T1+ regulations, the pair of Sand Beige-coloured Hiluxes will be piloted by local crew Guy Botterill and co-driver Dennis Murphy, and teenager Saood Variawa navigated by French co-pilot Francois Cazalet. Labour of love 'Toyota and SVR had the vision to open a world-class hub for motorsport fabrication, which would showcase our collective ability and excellence,' SVR and Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa boss, Shameer Variawa, said. 'I'm incredibly proud of the product that stands before us today – from conceptual dream to a place my team can now call 'home'. We place tremendous value in our partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing and the race results that are to come'. As many as 20 vehicles can be worked on at the same time on the shop floor. Image: Charl Bosch Toyota South Africa Vice-President of Marketing, Glenn Crompton, added, 'The opening of the new SVR Motorsport Hub represents the third chapter for Toyota's motorsport exploits and Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa. 'From a Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa perspective, we couldn't have asked for a better partner. This is the beginning of an exciting journey for us all, and I'm confident together we'll reach even greater heights'. NOW READ: The workings of a Rally-Raid team: Inside Ford-backed NWM
