Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard indicates that an official declaration confirming the return of a Formula 1 African Grand Prix to the calendar is on the horizon.
F1 eyes Africa
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast with co‑host Will Buxton, Coulthard teased that an announcement confirming the addition to the schedule should surface shortly. The ex‑Red Bull driver highlighted the potential revival of Sepang International Circuit for the 2026 season while commenting on the inclusion of Portugal and Turkey for 2027.
“We’re hearing rumours that we’ll have an announcement for Africa soon. So, we’re going to be going to Africa,” Coulthard said. He added that Portimao “has got a couple of years” and is a “great track for the drivers.”
Current expansion talks
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali told reporters in August 2026 that “negotiations are progressing very well” for a potential African GP. He noted that the championship would return to Portugal and Turkey next year and that talks with countries in South America and the Far East were underway.
“We have more requests for a second race in China and Japan, but for the moment we want to stay with one race in China until the market is consolidated,” he explained. The discussion also touched on other upcoming races, with Domenicali confirming that the 24‑race calendar was under construction.
Championship logistics and driver stakes
F1 last visited Africa at the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Seven‑time champion Lewis Hamilton has campaigned for a return since 2017, citing his partial‑African heritage. Speaking at the 2026 season‑opening Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton urged organizers to consider Africa, saying, “I don’t want to leave the sport without an African GP… I’m half‑African, one on every other continent—why not Africa?”
Hamilton added that he was prepared to stay on the sidelines until the dates were fixed, noting that the “scheduling of Africa would add a key piece to the championship.”
As the calendar takes shape, the fine‑tuning of adding a new continent becomes the latest chapter in Formula 1’s global expansion narrative.
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