Lewis Hamilton close to realising huge F1 dream as FIA confirm ‘significant’ news | F1 | Sport

Lewis Hamilton‘s dreams of racing in Africa before he retires have taken another major step after the FIA approved redevelopment plans for the Kyalami Circuit. The venue in South Africa will now undergo extensive renovation work to bring it up to Grade One status, allowing it to host F1 World Championship events.

The iconic track, which first hosted the South African Grand Prix in 1967 and made its final appearance on the schedule in 1993, has been absent from the F1 calendar for over three decades now, but with competition for places at a premium and other nations battling for hosting rights, the circuit’s owners are taking the necessary steps to bring it back. On Wednesday, Kyalami Circuit released a statement confirming that the final design proposals sent to the FIA have been accepted, paving the way for work to begin.

“The current 4.522km layout, upgraded in 2016, already holds FIA Grade 2 certification and the Kyalami precinct has proven itself as a successful, self-sustaining venue with year-round commercial activity,” the statement read. The facility’s multi-use functionality – conferences, shows, exhibitions, activations, lifestyle events – remains central to its commercial model.

“Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is now poised to take the next step in the evolution of the track, having received confirmation that the Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA) has accepted the design proposals to upgrade the circuit to Grade 1 status – the highest international standard required to host Formula 1.

“The FIA’s written acceptance of the amended design marks a significant achievement. Once the capital works are completed and a final inspection is conducted, Kyalami will become Africa’s only Grade 1 circuit, capable of hosting Formula 1 on the African continent.”

While this is a positive development, South Africa will face stiff competition for a place on the grid. Earlier this weekend, government officials in Thailand confirmed a £900million bid for a Grand Prix starting in 2028, and there is also reported interest from Argentina, Rwanda and South Korea.

Then there is the matter of calendar space. It is widely agreed that the current 24-race tally is the breaking point for the paddock, and with tracks like Spa-Francorchamps and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya fighting for their futures, there are few spots available for potential new host nations.

If approved, though, it would mark the achievement of the dream of F1’s most decorated driver. “I’m working in the background to get South Africa on the race,” Hamilton said in Abu Dhabi last year. “That’s like such a dream for me. I’ve gotta stay until they get that race…”