F1 projects
In the last week, with the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, the 2026 season calendar has been the subject of strong discussions regarding the possible cancellations 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 Africathe only continent that still hasn’t hosted a race since the early 1990s.
The return?
On more than one occasion, Formula 1, with the declarations of its President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, has guaranteed that it is working to organize a GP in Africa, particularly on the South African circuit of Kyalami. An objective, regardless of the host nation, which would satisfy the current Ferrari driver Lewis Hamiltonwho has always been a supporter of this project.
Africa before hanging up your helmet
A goal which, if achieved, would ideally also represent that of the Briton’s career in F1: “I have been to ten African countries – he commented during the pre-GP press conference in Australia – there is still much more to see. In the last six years, maybe seven, I fought behind the scenes to get a Grand Prixmaybe even more so, actually, by sitting down with stakeholders and asking: why aren’t we in Africa? There’s one on every other continent, why not Africa? I know they’re really trying. I believe they have been to different countries. The ones I liked the most: I loved Kenya. I don’t think we will have a Grand Prix in Kenya, but the Rwanda in particular it was spectacular. Two places I felt like I could live. The South Africa it’s wonderful. I think 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 compete thereso I chase them.”
Hamilton, of British nationality, indicated his origins, reiterating his desire to be able to take part in at least one race in a continent that makes him proud: “When is it happening? They’re setting dates, and I’m like, ‘damn, I might be running out of time,’ so I’m going to stay here for a while until that happens because that would be awesome since I’m half African. I have roots from different places there, like Togo and Benin. I went to Benin last year, Senegal and Nigeria. It’s something that I’m really, really about proud. 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 has 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 will unite and take back Africa. This is what I want to see. Take it back from the French, the Spanish, the Portuguese and the English. It is very important for the future of that continent. They have all the resources to be the largest and most powerful place in the world, and that’s probably why they are controlled this way. But anyway, let’s move on.”
