Thousands of spectators lined the area for what became one of the most significant F1-themed activations South Africa has seen in years. At the heart of the action was former Formula 1 driver and long-time Red Bull Racing demo ace Patrick Friesacher, who headlined the motorsport programme with a rare and crowd-shaking appearance in the 2012 Red Bull Racing RB8.
The RB8—famous for carrying Sebastian Vettel to the 2012 World Championship—was one of the last V8-powered Formula 1 cars and remains a fan favourite for its raw sound and aggressive aerodynamics. Friesacher put on multiple high-intensity runs, lighting up Green Point with burnouts, accelerations and the unmistakable scream of the Renault RS27 V8, giving fans a visceral reminder of the sport’s pre-hybrid era. It marked one of the few times in recent years that an F1 car of that generation has run publicly on South African soil, making it a major highlight of the day.
Alongside Friesacher, Red Bull’s senior race support crew—including one of the team’s veteran mechanics (insert name)—held technical demonstrations that gave fans a close-up look at the precision, choreography and engineering excellence behind modern Formula 1 operations. For many spectators, getting within arm’s reach of a championship-winning machine was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The event also celebrated South African motorsport flair, with local drifting favourite Samkeliso “Sam Sam” Thubane wowing the crowd with tyre-smoke theatrics and crowd-pleasing sideways showmanship.
From morning to night, the venue pulsed with energy thanks to a stacked entertainment lineup featuring Cassper Nyovest, DJ Natasa, Themba, Kamo Mphela, YoungstaCPT, the Cape Minstrels, and DJ Fresh. Immersive fan zones—including simulators, reaction games and VR experiences—turned the precinct into a hybrid of racetrack, concert arena and lifestyle hub. Veteran presenters Robert Marawa, Anele Mdoda and Scoop Makhathini kept the adrenaline flowing with their trademark charisma.
In classic Heineken® style, fans gathered at the Heineken® House to watch a live stream of the Qatar Grand Prix, transforming the venue into a festival-style viewing zone as cheers echoed through Green Point. For many, it was a rare chance to share a Grand Prix weekend in a massive, real-world community of fans.
Alexander Drake, Head of Heineken® South Africa, said the day showcased the power of Formula 1 to spark culture and connection.
“You could feel the energy from the moment the engines fired up. F1 has a unique ability to spark culture and community, and seeing Cape Town own that moment was incredible. This was a clear statement about where we’re going as a brand and what fans can expect from us,” Drake said.
A surprise hit among attendees was the appearance of Heineken’s mysterious helmeted showman, who roamed the venue with high-energy antics that quickly became a social-media favourite.
Heineken®’s approach to the Cape Town stop reflected the brand’s global philosophy of merging motorsport with lifestyle culture—an approach that has defined its F1® partnerships across the season through TV, digital campaigns, limited bottle editions and nationwide activations.
Drake says the event signals the brand’s commitment to delivering richer, more premium motorsport experiences: “Heineken® isn’t here to follow the trend. We’re here to create the moment. With F1, we’re proud to be building a brand that gives fans the world-class experiences they love.”
If anything, the Cape Town stop underscored Heineken®’s ambition to deliver world-class experiences to the South African public. The brand isn’t simply staging events — it’s cultivating a market with the appetite, culture and energy to rival major fan hubs worldwide. By merging racing heritage, premium entertainment and immersive fan engagement, Heineken® is signalling that South Africa is ready for more headline-worthy Formula 1 moments, and the brand intends to be at the centre of that growth.
