Formula 1’s long-running ambition to return to Africa is making significant progress, with president and CEO Stefano Domenicali revealing that negotiations for a future Grand Prix on the continent are “progressing very well”. The championship has not raced in Africa since 1993, but the possibility of restoring a race there remains one of the most important unresolved elements of Formula 1’s global expansion.
The plans extend beyond Africa. Stefano Domenicali has also confirmed that discussions are taking place with countries in South America and the Far East as Formula 1 continues to assess future additions to an increasingly competitive calendar. At the same time, the championship is preparing for the return of Portugal and Turkey in 2027 and a broader move towards race rotation.
Formula 1 Africa return talks are progressing
For several years, Formula 1 has openly pursued the goal of returning to Africa, and Stefano Domenicali now believes that objective may be getting closer. The Italian executive confirmed that negotiations concerning a future African Grand Prix are advancing positively, reinforcing recent indications that Formula 1 is making progress towards an African return.
“I think I can say that negotiations in Africa are progressing very well,” Stefano Domenicali told the media.
Formula 1 has not staged a race on the continent since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, north of Johannesburg. In recent years, the South African circuit has repeatedly been regarded as the leading candidate for a comeback, although interest surrounding Kyalami appears to have cooled more recently.
Morocco and Rwanda have instead emerged as possible alternatives should Formula 1 secure a new race in Africa. Rwanda in particular has already been linked with serious discussions over a future Grand Prix, as the championship continues evaluating how best to restore the continent to the calendar.
Lewis Hamilton has repeatedly pushed for an African Grand Prix
The prospect of Formula 1 returning to Africa is also particularly significant for Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion has previously expressed a desire to continue racing in Formula 1 at least until the championship stages another Grand Prix on the continent.
Lewis Hamilton has been one of the most prominent advocates of an African race and has repeatedly argued for the championship to restore its presence there. His position has added further attention to a project that Formula 1 has been pursuing for several years, with the Ferrari driver previously stressing the importance of bringing Formula 1 back to Africa.
Stefano Domenicali confirms talks in South America and the Far East
Africa is only one part of Formula 1’s wider calendar strategy. Stefano Domenicali revealed that discussions are also under way with countries in South America, while talks are taking place in the Far East as the championship evaluates potential new markets and future hosting opportunities.
“Next year we will return to Portugal and Turkey, and we are conducting other negotiations with countries in South America; we also have discussions ongoing in the Far East,” Stefano Domenicali explained.
However, Formula 1 does not currently intend to add a second race in either China or Japan, despite receiving further requests from both countries.
“One thing I can tell you is that we have received further requests [for a second race] in China and Japan, but for the moment we want to limit ourselves to having only one because we need to consolidate the market more before thinking about other options in that area,” Stefano Domenicali added.
The comments underline how Formula 1 is balancing strong international demand against the practical limitations of an already crowded calendar. With multiple countries interested in joining the championship, every potential new race must compete with existing contracts, returning venues and rotational agreements.
Portugal and Turkey return to the F1 calendar in 2027
The next major changes are already set for 2027. The Turkish Grand Prix will return after securing a five-year agreement, while Portugal will also rejoin the championship at Portimão under a two-year contract.
Portugal last hosted Formula 1 at the Algarve circuit in 2020 and 2021, when Portimão was added to the calendar as the championship replaced races cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its return now forms part of the wider reshaping of the 2027 Formula 1 calendar.
Turkey will also make its comeback at Istanbul Park, with the circuit returning under a longer agreement designed to secure its place beyond a single season. The move forms part of Formula 1’s evolving European strategy, with Istanbul Park returning to the championship from 2027.
F1 calendar rotation becomes increasingly important
Formula 1 is also moving more decisively towards rotating established events rather than keeping every circuit on the calendar each season. The Barcelona-Catalunya and Belgian Grands Prix have agreed to alternate on a two-year basis as Formula 1 creates space for returning and potentially new venues.
Under the agreement, Spa-Francorchamps will host Formula 1 in 2027, 2029 and 2031, while Barcelona-Catalunya will appear in 2028, 2030 and 2032. The Barcelona and Spa rotation agreement illustrates the direction Formula 1 is increasingly taking as demand for calendar places grows.
The result is a championship preparing for substantial geographical and structural change. Portugal and Turkey are already heading back onto the schedule, established European races are beginning to alternate, and negotiations for new Grands Prix continue across Africa, South America and the Far East.
For Africa, however, the significance is particularly clear. More than three decades after Formula 1 last raced at Kyalami, Stefano Domenicali’s latest comments suggest that the long-discussed return remains an active project and that negotiations are moving in a positive direction.
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