'Prohibitive costs' a barrier to F1 returning to Kyalami

Kyalami, the historical home of the South African Grand Prix, is unlikely to return to the F1 calendar anytime soon due to the costs involved in staging the race.

A popular fixture on the F1 schedule from 1967 to 1985, the event was dropped thereafter but returned for a short two-year spell in 1992 before the sport permanently left South Africa.

The track enjoyed a significant upgrade 2014, bringing it in line with F1 standards, but Kyalami's owners, while receptive to the idea of F1's return, are unlikely to bid for a Grand Prix date, according to circuit spokesperson Christo Kruger.

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"Kyalami would welcome Formula 1 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit again," circuit spokesperson Christo Kruger told F1 Fanatic's Dieter Rencken.

“We think there’s a heritage that we would like to see back again. I also think the African continent deserves an actual Formula 1 race again.

"But the prohibitive costs of hosting Formula 1 is really the bugbear. It’s just not financially feasible in the current structure to host Formula 1."

Kyalami's stance could change however, and entice the circuit to undergo further developments in order to qualify for the mandatory FIA grade one licence, if F1 rights holder Liberty Media shows a keen interest in bringing the sport to the venue at a reasonable cost.

"Kyalami remains there as a facility and we are prepared to enter into negotiations and discussions to upgrade or to change the actual the circuit to what is palatable for Formula 1 racing," added Kruger.
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"It’s an FIA grade two track at the moment, we will upgrade to grade one but there needs to be commitment in terms of a long-term future for Formula 1 in South Africa.

"But we do not have the financial wherewithal to be the promoter for a Formula 1 race."

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