--- title: "Africa Is One Step Closer to Hosting an F1 Race Again" date: "2024-08-08" modified: "2024-08-08" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/africa-is-one-step-closer-to-hosting-an-f1-race-again" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Africa Is One Step Closer to Hosting an F1 Race Again ![Nigel Mansell, driver of the #5 Canon Williams Renault Williams FW14B Renault 3.5 V10 leads the field at the start of the Yellow Pages South African Grand Prix on 1st March 1992 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Kyalami, South Africa.(Photo by Pascal Rondeau/Getty Images)]() *\Pascal Rondeau\* It's been over 30 years since [Formula 1]() last raced on the African continent. The 1993 South African Grand Prix took place at the Kyalami Circuit, and it was won by Alain Prost, who managed to hold off a charging Michael Schumacher. Should representatives of Rwanda, the FIA, and Liberty Media come to terms, however, F1 could make its debut in the tiny, landlocked country as early as 2026. “I don't see big changes coming in the short term, but in the next couple of months we need to discuss what will be '26, '27 and '28. We have different options but we are in a good place," Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told *[Autosport]()*. "They \[Rwanda\] are serious. They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent track.” It's not the first time a return to the continent has been discussed. In fact, during an interview last year, world champ Max Verstappen told *The Drive* that [F1 "needs" a race in Africa](). “I think we still need a race in Africa. We are basically on every other continent, so I do think that that’s the next step for Formula 1." ![]() *Formel 1, Grand Prix Suedafrika 1976, Kyalami, 06.03.1976 Mario Andretti, Parnelli-Ford VPJ4B John Watson, Penske-Ford PC3 Carlos Pace, Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT45 Jacques Laffite, Ligier-Matra. HOCH ZWEI / Ronco HOCH ZWEI* According to *Autosport*, a delegation from Rwanda visited the Monaco Grand Prix this year to meet with the FIA. That's usually one of the first steps in the process, as the prospective host must discuss the creation of a new racetrack, whether it be temporary or permanent. Simultaneous talks must be held with the FIA for track and safety purposes, as well as the commercial side of F1 (Liberty Media) for hosting fee negotiation, promoter contracts, TV rights, etc. It's unclear where the meeting between Domenicali and Rwandan representatives will take place, but it'll likely be at Azerbaijan or Singapore GPs. This, of course, raises the issue of logistics and length once more, with the current F1 season already featuring 24 races from February through December. Should Rwanda join the calendar without another race being dropped, that'd push it to 25 and likely add at least one more week to the calendar—if not two. And apparently, F1 also has its sights set on Thailand, which could take the total GP count even higher. "We have so many places around the world that want to host F1 that it allows us to make sure that we are working together with all of them to grow the experience. With 24 races, I see that there's a number that will be stable, and we can really turn to the ones that we are discussing to see what will be the future," added Domenicali. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()