Domenicali: negotiations for an African F1 race are progressing well
Formula 1 steps up discussions over African return
Formula 1 is making progress towards adding a race in Africa, according to F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali. The continent has not hosted a grand prix since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, leaving Africa as the only continent apart from Antarctica without a race on the calendar.
Domenicali’s latest comments suggest the long-discussed possibility of an African return is moving forward, although no venue or host country has been confirmed. A potential comeback at Kyalami, north of Johannesburg, has been heavily linked with F1, but those connections have cooled publicly in recent years. Morocco and Rwanda have also been mentioned as possible alternatives.
Speaking to media, Domenicali said: “I think what I can say is that negotiations are progressing very well in Africa.” His comments add weight to the possibility of a new destination entering the calendar, while leaving the identity of any prospective host unresolved.
Calendar expansion balanced with consolidation
The African discussions form part of a broader examination of Formula 1’s future schedule. Domenicali also referred to discussions in South America and the Far East, while confirming that Portugal and Turkey will return next year.
Turkey’s Grand Prix is scheduled to return in 2027 on a five-year contract. The Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao will also come back on a two-year deal, having previously stepped in during the 2020 and 2021 seasons when races were cancelled because of the COVID pandemic.
Formula 1 is also managing demand in established markets. Domenicali said the championship has received more requests for a second race in both China and Japan, but that it intends to retain one race in China for the moment. The priority, he explained, is to consolidate the market more strongly before considering further options.
That measured approach reflects the balance facing F1: expanding its geographical reach while protecting the strength of existing events. Domenicali has previously called for time to debate the championship’s next regulations, and the calendar strategy follows a similarly deliberate path. The wider approach is explored in Domenicali’s call for more time over F1’s next rules cycle.
Rotation reshapes the European calendar
The calendar is entering a new period of event rotation. Barcelona-Catalunya and Spa-Francorchamps have agreed to alternate on a biannual basis, with the Belgian Grand Prix scheduled for 2027, 2029 and 2031. Barcelona will host races in 2028, 2030 and 2032.
Against that backdrop, an African race would represent a significant geographical addition. For now, Domenicali’s statement confirms progress in negotiations, but not yet a completed agreement.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.