--- title: "Max Verstappen Says F1 ‘Needs’ a Race in Africa" description: "Red Bull driver and two-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen wants a race in Africa added to the calendar." date: "2023-02-05" modified: "2023-02-05" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/max-verstappen-says-f1-needs-a-race-in-africa" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Max Verstappen Says F1 ‘Needs’ a Race in Africa ![]() *Photo | Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Oracle Red Bull Racing* Formula 1 hasn't held a race in Africa since 1993, the last year of the South African grand prix at Kyalami Circuit. However, Red Bull driver, and two-time F1 world champion, [Max Verstappen]() feels that a return to Africa needs to happen. *The Drive* recently attended roundtable discussion with Verstappen, during the unveiling of[ Red Bull's car]() for the 2023 F1 season. During the discussion, Verstappen expressed his desire for F1 to once again 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. We have history there because of South Africa, for example. It would be a great addition,” he said. ![]() *Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez discussing the upcoming 2023 season at Classic Car Club Manhattan on February 03, 2023 | Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Oracle Red Bull Racing* This isn't the first time Verstappen has talked about F1 returning to Africa, as he previously mentioned it in an interview with [*LADbible* ]()last year. He also isn't the only driver that wants an African race added to the F1 calendar. Last year, Mercedes driver, and seven-time F1 world champion,[ Lewis Hamilton]() said he wanted South Africa[ back on the calendar]() for the 2023 season. Unfortunately, an African grand prix wasn't added to the 2023 schedule, though it might be coming in 2024. During an interview with *[Sky Sports]()*, F1 president Stefano Domenicali said that Kyalami was being considered for the 2023 season but ultimately didn't work out. However, he did say that an African grand prix could happen soon. "That's a very clear target: Africa will come back and hopefully very soon on our calendar." Domenicali told *Sky Sports*. ![]() *Photo | Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Oracle Red Bull Racing* It's possible that Kyalami is back on the F1 calendar for the 2024 season but it isn't the only potential African grand prix. According to Domenicali, other African races are being considered but whichever circuit is chosen, it needs to host a recurring race and can't just be for a single year. South Africa has a long history with motorsport, as its first-ever grand prix was held in 1934 on a road course known as Prince George Circuit. The first post-war race held at Prince George Circuit was in 1962 and F1 races continued there until 1966. For 1967, Kyalami Circuit became the home of the South African grand prix, which lasted until 1985. F1 returned to Kyalami for the '92 and '93 seasons but hasn't been back since. Verstappen and Hamilton are right, it would be great to see F1 return to Africa, whether it's at Kyalami or elsewhere, and hopefully it happens as soon as 2024. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()