We recently opined that a South African Grand Prix would not be successful. Formula 1's president, Stefano Domenicali, obviously has other ideas and has reportedly been in SA twice since our op-ed.

South Africa has several problems, but to keep this article short, I'll focus on the two main issues.

The first is corruption. If you want to do a deep dive into South African corruption, go ahead and Google Zuma and Gupta and give it a read. Or read a book called The President's Keepers by Jacques Pauw. For final proof, read the comments sections of South African news outlets whenever a report about a South African Grand Prix is mentioned. The comments are usually split right down the middle. One half is ecstatic, while the other half wonders whether the money might not be spent better elsewhere.

The second big problem is affordability. As the earlier opinion piece mentioned, Japan is known for having the cheapest tickets. A three-day pass is under $100. In Singapore, which is another cheap option, you pay $250 for a three-day pass. For a family of four, you're looking at $400 before you factor in all of the other costs. Not everyone in South Africa lives in Gauteng, though it is the most populated province.

Still, I said I'd be the first to report if I turned out the be wrong, and I'd be ecstatic about it. I'm too young to remember the last South African Grand Prix, but I love the Kyalami circuit, and I'd love to see it host 20 of the fastest cars on the planet.

The reports suggest that final talks are underway, with a target race set for 2023. That's all everyone knows at the moment. For the record, Kyalami is not yet ready to host an F1 race.

"We are regularly in contact with Liberty F1 [the commercial rights holder of Formula 1] about the possibility of a race in SA," said Kyalami circuit owner and Porsche South Africa CEO Toby Venter, speaking with respected local publication Double Apex. "Currently, the track has an FIA Level 2 certification [F1 requires Level 1]. Last year when Formula 1 was trying to pull together a calendar, they went back to tracks that have the same grading we do. But we can make the changes that are required if there is some guarantee of a race."

I love the renewed interest in a South African Grand Prix. It went from mere rumor a month ago to the leading F1 story of the month. It's quite clear there's still a healthy appetite for the sport in the country and worldwide.

And even I have to admit that the Kyalami 9 Hour races have been a smashing success. This series is part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge and the grid consists of cars complying with the FIA's GT3 regulations. Past winners include the Porsche 911 GT3 R, BMW M6 GT3, and a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo early in 2022.

South African and Kyalami can host international events, but everyone with a basic understanding of economics knows that an F1 race is going to be expensive. It's genuinely a case of choosing between attending an F1 race, or a holiday abroad. But talks are just talks. Until the FIA confirms it, I remain skeptical.