Formula 1 has made significant progress in negotiations aimed at returning to Africa for the first time since 1993, according to president and CEO Stefano Domenicali. Discussions over an African Grand Prix form part of wider plans that also involve potential opportunities in Europe, South America and the Far East.
Africa remains the only inhabited continent without a race on the current Formula 1 calendar. Although Stefano Domenicali offered no indication of when a Grand Prix could take place, he confirmed that negotiations on the continent were advancing well.
Africa F1 return talks are making progress
The last Formula 1 race held in Africa was the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Alain Prost won that event for Williams, but the championship has not returned to the continent during the following 33 years.
Formula 1 has expanded considerably over that period, with the 2026 F1 calendar featuring 24 races across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australia and the Middle East. Restoring an African event would therefore address the most conspicuous geographical omission from the championship’s increasingly global schedule.
Addressing international media, Domenicali indicated that talks concerning Africa were progressing very positively. However, the Italian executive did not identify a preferred country, circuit or potential date for the championship’s return.
Formula 1 evaluates opportunities across several regions
Africa is only one part of Formula 1’s longer-term planning. Domenicali confirmed that discussions were also under way in South America and the Far East as the championship assesses demand from markets seeking a place on future calendars.
Portugal and Turkey are due to return next year, further expanding Formula 1’s European presence. Greater clarity over the composition of the championship is expected when Formula 1 presents its 2027 F1 calendar.
China has also expressed interest in hosting an additional event. For now, however, Formula 1 intends to retain only one Chinese Grand Prix while continuing to consolidate its position in that market. Domenicali explained that further growth would be needed before the championship considered adding a second race in the country.
The requests illustrate the commercial demand Formula 1 must balance against the practical limits of an already extensive calendar. Any new destination would need to compete for space with existing events, returning circuits and other prospective hosts.
Hockenheim returns to Formula 1 discussions
Germany could also regain a place on the calendar, although Domenicali stressed that any return would represent a longer-term project rather than an immediate addition. Formula 1 has resumed contact with Hockenheim officials to assess whether the historic venue could host a Grand Prix again in the future.
The renewed discussions are an encouraging development for a country with a long Formula 1 tradition. Domenicali views the championship’s growing popularity in Germany and its new television agreement with RTL as positive signs, suggesting that commercial interest in the market is strengthening.
Nevertheless, the talks remain at an exploratory stage, and no short-term German Grand Prix has been announced. Hockenheim must therefore be considered part of Formula 1’s medium- or long-term calendar planning.
F1 faces a growing choice between new and historic venues
The progress involving Africa and renewed contact with Hockenheim underline the variety of options available to Formula 1. The championship is simultaneously considering underserved markets, established countries requesting additional races and historic European venues seeking a return.
That competition could become increasingly important as Formula 1 shapes future schedules. Imola and Barcelona have also been linked with possible places on the 2027 F1 calendar if alternative venues are required.
For Africa, the immediate significance lies in the progress of the negotiations rather than a confirmed date or location. More than three decades after Alain Prost’s victory at Kyalami, the prospect of Formula 1 returning to the continent is once again receiving serious attention at the highest level of the championship.
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