If F1 returns to South Africa, where?

This year has seen plenty of Formula One murmurings for a return to South Africa after a 30-year absence.

From Cape Town's planned bid to triple world champion Lewis Hamilton expressing an interest in a return to the country, it's fair to say that a South African GP would be welcomed by many.

But where would they race? Here are three possible venues.


Kyalami Racing Circuit

The most obvious choice would be the Kyalami Racing Circuit in Gauteng near Johannesburg, which first hosted a Grand Prix in 1967. F1 skipped the country from 1985, owing to the policy of Apartheid.

The sport returned to South Africa in 1992, with the track undergoing significant changes, too. The last Grand Prix was held in 1993, being won by Alain Prost.

The track is currently owned by Porsche South Africa, and undergoing more renovations and changes. Here is a video animation of the revised track, why it was sold in 2014 and what Porsche's plans are:

Porsche South Africa says it has big plans for the iconic Kyalami race track in Johannesburg. The track is famous for attracting some of the world's top Formula 1 drivers, and it was auctioned off last month. Porsche SA bought the track for $20.5 M, but what are they going to do with it? Sumitra Nydoo spent the day with Porsche South Africa CEO, Toby Venter, to get some answers.


Cape Town Grand Prix?

A prominent bid for an F1 return to South Africa popped up in 2015, when a consortium proposed a Grand Prix in and around the Green Point area.

The proposed circuit would take place in the shadow of Table Mountain, cutting through Cape Town Stadium and running along Beach Road — which would perhaps make it the most scenic race on the calendar.

However, chances of a Cape Town race anytime soon will require a commitment from organizers, as well as backing from the city and the private sector, F1's Bernie Ecclestone told EWN.

A previous high-profile bid suggested having F1 track designer Hermann Tilke design a circuit near Cape Town International Airport. But, knowing Tilke's record, it would've either made for fantastic racing or a procession.


A potential race in Durban?

Believe it or not, Durban is no stranger to hosting open-wheel races in the recent past.

The city hosted several rounds of the ill-fated A1 Grand Prix series from 2005-2008, located just several hundred meters away from the beach and city center.

The street circuit has since been used for the "Top Gear Festival" (albeit in modified form), with a Mercedes F1 car also taking to the track.

There has been talk in recent years of having a Grand Prix on a new facility near King Shaka International Airport, but this seems to have fallen through.

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