South Africa’s motorsport dream could soon be shifting into high gear. With the green light flickering on the horizon for a Formula 1 Grand Prix return to local soil by 2027, the hunt is on for the continent’s next racing star. At just eight years old, Cape Town’s Radhi Harris is already accelerating into that slipstream.
For Wesleigh Orr, founder of Worr Motorsport and a four-time world karting champion, Radhi is not just another youngster behind the wheel, he’s the spark plug igniting Africa’s Formula 1 hopes.
Motor Racing prodigy Radhi Harris is on the F1 radar Photo: Instagram
“That’s the game-changer in the generation now. In the next three or four years there will be a Grand Prix here in Africa. So, that’s gonna put a lot of focus on the F1 teams and everyone involved in motorsport to find the talent out of Africa,” says Orr.
Orr is optimistic about the spotlight about to fall on African soil:
“Radhi could be the next Lewis Hamilton. However, we need a driver from Africa on the F1 circuit.
“So, there is going to be huge interest and you know we have to set Radhi up for success.
“There will be scouts in the next three or four years looking for natural talent. And we just think Radhi is gonna be that guy.”
The making of a mini champion
Radhi may be small in stature, but his results have carried the weight of a seasoned professional. He stunned Europe by winning the Tillotson Bambino class in Valencia, Spain on his very first overseas outing. This victory put him firmly on Orr’s radar.
Radhi Harris was crowned 2024 Tillettson T4 Nations Cup World Champion in Spain. Photo: Intagram
“I think Radhi Harris is one of the few young drivers that we’ve had in the country that is consistent across the board in terms of results,” says Orr.
“He went overseas in his first event and sort of shocked everybody by winning… From that time he has been on our radar as a team.”
Consistency, adaptability, and charisma, Orr believes are the qualities that make Radhi’s engine run hotter than the rest.
“It’s always difficult if you don’t understand what you look for on the track. In layman’s terms… it’s about the ability to adapt to different situations.
“When drivers don’t have the advantage of the support of the bigger teams and they are still running in front, then I think the ability is there.
“I think Radhi’s charisma and the way he conducts himself is also a big part of why he is so good.”
Racing in his veins
Motorsport runs through Radhi’s veins like high-octane fuel. His grandfather Zarier Harris once tore up the Cape Flats’ streets in his Toyota TRD, while his father Raaziegh kept the family tradition alive in the GTI Challenge at Killarney.
“Radhi was head-hunted by Wesleigh,” recalls Raaziegh with pride.
“In his first race he ever did he finished second in 2023. And that is how he got his kart number 23. In 2024 he won the Western Province Regional Championship.”
That was just the warm-up lap. Radhi went on to claim the South African National Bambino Championship before conquering the T4 Nations Cup World Championship in Spain. He also smashed the lap record at Cape Town’s Killarney circuit and now competes in the faster, more technical Micro MAX class.
Building Africa’s F1 future
With Worr Motorsport’s three-pronged leadership team – Orr at the helm internationally, Hugh Orr steering operations in the Western Cape, and Neo Phasha sharpening young talent in their academy – Rahdi’s career now has the scaffolding to reach F1’s grand stage.
“Signing a talent like Radhi inspires our South African-based team to strive even harder to help our drivers achieve their dreams in motorsport,” says Orr.
For Worr Motorsport, this isn’t just about one prodigy; it’s about fuelling an entire continent’s ambition.
“Our focus is on empowering African drivers with the skills, discipline, and support needed to compete on the global stage.
“We have one ambitious goal and that is to produce an African Formula 1 driver.
“Through rigorous training, top-tier equipment, and a passion for excellence, we hope to pave the way for African drivers to leave their mark in the world of motorsport.”
As Kyalami readies itself for a possible Grand Prix revival and Cape Town angles for a street race bid, the timing feels perfect.
Karting Champ Radhi Harris Photo: Instagram
Radhi Harris is not just learning to handle corners; he’s steering into destiny. If South Africa’s F1 return is the race, Harris might just be the homegrown engine to carry the nation across the finish line.
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- Rahdi Harris
