For years, fans of Formula 1 in South Africa have eagerly awaited the sport’s return to their shores.
Following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, many believed that a comeback was almost certain.
The FIA had been scouting the globe for viable venues to make up for lost races, and South Africa was often highlighted as a prime candidate for hosting one of those events.
Unfortunately, despite the excitement and widespread media speculation, the return to South Africa never materialized, and various sociopolitical developments in recent years have pushed the idea even further into the background.
Rwanda’s Bid Falters and Thailand’s Emergence
As recently as late last year, Rwanda made headlines with a strong bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
However, ongoing rebel fighting in East-Central Africa dampened the optimism surrounding the bid, causing any hopes of a quick return to the African continent to fade.
Meanwhile, Thailand has emerged as a serious contender, with talks moving swiftly to make Bangkok the next major F1 destination.
Just after the season opener in Australia for 2025, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali flew straight to the Thai capital to meet with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, signaling the sport’s interest in the region.
A New Chapter for Thailand
Domenicali has praised Thailand’s “impressive plans” for their proposed Grand Prix in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok.
He expressed excitement about continuing discussions in the coming months.
Just this week, reports confirmed that Domenicali and Shinawatra had signed a memorandum of understanding, paving the way for the potential event.
Dr. Gongsak Yodmani, head of Thailand’s sports authority, spoke of the importance of addressing the concerns of the local community.
He emphasized that the event would benefit everyone involved, including efforts to minimize noise and environmental impact for residents living near the race venue.
Albon’s Excitement Over a Home Race
Formula 1’s Thai driver, Alex Albon, is also looking forward to the potential race in his home country.
Albon, who will be racing for Williams in 2025, expressed his excitement about the possibility of competing in front of a home crowd.
He even mentioned that he would reach out to Domenicali to offer support for the Thai Grand Prix, noting the challenging heat conditions that could make the race a “Singapore version 2.0.” Albon is doing everything he can to help make the race happen and sees it as an exciting opportunity for both himself and the sport.
Is South Africa’s F1 Dream Over?
As the race calendar begins to take shape, the hope for a South African Grand Prix seems to be fading.
With Thailand now quickly advancing in its efforts to secure a spot on the Formula 1 calendar, the question remains: Is the South African bid truly done? Fans and experts alike continue to wonder if there’s still a chance for F1 to return to South Africa, or if it’s time to look ahead to the new opportunities that Thailand presents.
What do you think? Let us know your thoughts!