F1 projects
In the last week, with the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, the 2026 season calendar has been the subject of intense discussion regarding the possible cancellation of races in nations such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, all involved in the war with Iran and included in the world championship. Even before the attacks, and therefore in a more peaceful context, the projects of the FIA and F1 were different, but they still persist today: that of a GP in Africa, the only continent that still hasn’t hosted a race since the early 90s.
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The return?
On more than one occasion, Formula 1, through statements from its President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, has guaranteed that it is working to organize a GP in Africa, particularly at the South African circuit of Kyalami. A goal, regardless of the host nation, that would satisfy current Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, who has always been a supporter of this project.
Africa before hanging up the helmet
A milestone that, if reached, would ideally also represent that of the Briton’s F1 career: “I’ve been to ten African countries – he commented during the pre-GP press conference in Australia – there’s still much more to see. In the last six years, maybe seven, I have fought behind the scenes to get a Grand Prix, maybe even more, actually, sitting down with stakeholders and asking: why aren’t we in Africa? There is one on every other continent, why not in Africa? I know they are really trying. I believe they have been to several countries. The ones I liked the most: I loved Kenya. I don’t think we’ll have a Grand Prix in Kenya, but Rwanda in particular was spectacular. Two places where I felt like I could live. South Africa is wonderful. I believe those are the ones that, in my opinion, would be the best places to go. I don’t want to leave the sport without having had a Grand Prix there, without having been able to race there, so I’m chasing them.”
Hamilton, of British nationality, indicated his origins, reiterating his desire to take part in at least one race on a continent that makes him proud: “When will it be held? They are setting dates, and I think, ‘damn, I might be running out of time’, so I’ll be here for a while until it happens, because it would be fantastic, since I’m half African. I have roots from different places there, like Togo and Benin. I was in Benin last year, in Senegal and Nigeria. It’s something I’m really, really proud of. I’m really proud of that part of the world. I think it’s the most beautiful part of the world, and I don’t like that the rest of the world owns so much of it, takes so much of it and no one talks about it. I really hope that the people who govern those different countries come together and take Africa back. This is what I want to see. Take it back from the French, the Spanish, the Portuguese, and the English. It’s very important for the future of that continent. They have all the resources to be the biggest and most powerful place in the world, and it’s probably why they are controlled in this way. But anyway, let’s move on.”
