Cape Town's Formula One Grand Prix vision gains traction
Cape Town Street Circuit Map
Image: Supplied by Cape Grand Prix and Tilke ™
While South Africa pushes for a Formula One Grand Prix in Cape Town, advocates envision a street circuit that could transform the city and inspire a new generation of motorsport enthusiasts.
Despite Formula One’s global appeal, Africa has been absent from the championship calendar for over three decades, with the last race held in 1993 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit near Johannesburg.
Now, a group of South African advocates believes the sport could return—not on a traditional racetrack, but on a street circuit winding through Cape Town.
The driving force behind the proposal is Igshaan Amlay, an activist and chief executive of Cape Town Grand Prix South Africa (CTGPSA).
Amlay says the idea first came to him while working on Robben Island between 1998 and 2001.
Studying detailed maps of the area, he began imagining how a racing circuit might weave through the streets near Green Point.
“I thought this would make a beautiful Formula One street circuit,” he said.
Among those involved in shaping the project is communications strategist Esther Henderson, who has worked alongside Amlay and project collaborator Bjorn Buyst to develop the proposal.
Their vision centres on a street circuit winding through the Green Point precinct, framed by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town Stadium and the backdrop of Table Mountain.
Henderson says the concept immediately resonated with her.
“When Igshaan first pitched the idea during one of our casual chats, it was a resounding and immediate yes,” she says.
“Both of us had lived and worked on Robben Island, so the idea simply made sense.”
By 2005, Henderson had begun transforming the vision into a formal proposal using Amlay’s early research.
This included hand-drawn circuit maps, technical notes, and correspondence with government departments.
She compiled a comprehensive business concept for the race and soon expanded her role to include stakeholder engagement and partnership development.
These discussions included meetings with former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, the longtime head of Formula One’s commercial operations, as well as government leaders such as former Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool and officials from the City of Cape Town.
From the beginning, Henderson says the proposal had to be grounded in practical considerations.
For Henderson, Amlay and their team, the project represents more than a single race weekend.
The proposal also includes plans for a karting academy and a South African School of Motorsport Excellence aimed at developing local talent in engineering, racing and motorsport technology.
“It’s about creating opportunities and leaving a legacy,” she says.
After more than two decades of involvement, Henderson says her commitment to the project remains strong.
The proposed Cape Town Grand Prix centres on a 5.2-kilometre street circuit designed by the renowned firm Tilke Engineers & Architects.
The layout integrates into the Green Point Sport Tourism Precinct and makes use of existing infrastructure around the Cape Town Stadium.
The proposal also emphasises the use of existing infrastructure.
The pitch at Cape Town Stadium would serve as the team paddock, while the pit lane and garages would be integrated into the stadium’s western parking structure.
According to organisers, using existing facilities reduces the need for temporary construction and aligns with modern sustainability goals.
South Africa’s renewed push to host a Formula One race is part of a broader national initiative. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has established a bid steering committee to evaluate proposals for future races, with bids due in 2025 and ongoing discussions about staging an event later in the decade.
Cape Town’s proposal differs from traditional bids; instead of a permanent racetrack, CTGPSA and its partners propose a street circuit centred around the Green Point Sport Tourism Precinct.
“We believe a street circuit would be phenomenal for Cape Town,” Amlay says.
He cites renowned city races like the Monaco Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix as examples of how street circuits can become iconic Formula One destinations.
However, the proposal faces significant challenges, as hosting a Formula One race requires meeting strict FIA Grade 1 safety standards and covering substantial licensing fees.
Amlay acknowledges these obstacles but believes the economic impact could justify the investment.
Cape Town’s bid exists alongside an interest in reviving racing at the historic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit.
While Kyalami offers a permanent facility with strong motorsport heritage, Cape Town advocates argue that a street circuit could tourism and economic benefits.
The bid steering committee has emphasised that all proposals will be evaluated on their merits, to select the option that delivers the greatest benefit for South Africa.
Amlay believes the project could help inspire a new generation while positioning South Africa on the global stage.