Thirty-three years. That’s how long it’s been since the Formula 1 raced his last race on the African continent at the 1993 South African Grand Prix on the Kyalami circuit, north of Johannesburg. This is a void many are trying to fill, and South Africa intends to be the first to close it. The country’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend a Grand Prix this season as part of an official lobbying effort. “The president’s visit will allow us to observe, to engage in dialogue, and to strengthen our arguments.”he specified, refusing for the moment to reveal which round will be chosen.
The South African project is based at Kyalami, the only circuit in the country to have received official government support following a competitive tender last year. The FIA approved renovation plans in 2025 aimed at upgrading the facility to Grade 1—the level required to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix—within a three-year timeframe; it is currently at Grade 2. The British firm Apex Circuit Design is leading the project, with the goal of preserving the original 4,522-kilometer layout while adding the necessary infrastructure and safety equipment. The minister summarized the methodical approach adopted by his country: “There are criteria that every country must meet to host a Grand Prix, particularly in terms of commerce, logistics, infrastructure and security, and we are working methodically to meet each of them.”
African competition is intensifying
South Africa is not alone in the race, however. Rwanda launched its bid in December 2024 with a project for a permanent circuit near Kigali, the capital—currently considered Kyalami’s main competitor—while Morocco is reportedly working on developing a facility near Tangier. Three African countries competing simultaneously is a first in the sport’s history. South Africa does, however, have one advantage its rivals lack: presidential support.
Because even if this support is not accompanied by direct public funding, it confers valuable institutional credibility in negotiations where Formula 1 now favours events backed by government guarantees for their long-term financial stability — which, paradoxically, somewhat weakens the South African bid against Rwanda or Morocco, potentially more willing to commit financially.
Lewis Hamilton first defender
Lewis Hamilton is one of the most passionate advocates of this return to Africa, and his statements at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix press conference speak volumes about the intensity of his personal commitment. “For six, maybe seven years, I’ve been fighting behind the scenes to get a Grand Prix. I don’t want to leave this sport without there being a Grand Prix there, without having been able to race there, so I’m fighting for it.”he confided. The seven-time world champion, who emphasizes his African origins — with roots in Togo and Benin in particular — does not just superficially support the idea.
He cites Rwanda and South Africa as his favorite destinations on the continent, and acknowledges a certain anxiety about the passage of time: “They set certain dates, and I think to myself, ‘Damn, I might run out of time,’ so I’m going to stay here for a while until it happens.” His stance goes far beyond the sporting arena, with Hamilton taking the opportunity to express a political and social vision on the future of the African continent, calling on nations to “reclaim” their territory and resources in the face of persistent colonial influences.
2029 at the earliest
Despite the general enthusiasm, considerable obstacles remain. The F1 calendar is already set at its maximum of 24 races for 2027 and 2028 with the return of Portimão and, more recently, the Turkish Grand Prix. This leaves 2029 as the first realistic window for a newcomer. And the competition isn’t just coming from the African continent: Thailand, which has government approval for significant spending, is considered the favorite for the next available slot—although a recent change of government in Bangkok has slowed the project.
South Korea and India also have ambitions. Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, summed up the situation last year with a frankness that says it all: “To be realistic, I don’t think we’ll get results in the very short term.” A message of patience that does not discourage African candidates, but puts their ambitions into a calendar reality that leaves little room for short-term optimism.
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