That said, the rumors are getting louder. According to Motorsport.com, former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has hinted that an official announcement regarding the championship's long-awaited return to Africa could be imminent.
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast alongside co-host Will Buxton, Coulthard teased his belief that a confirmation adding the continent to the calendar is just around the corner. "I'm hearing rumours that we'll have an announcement for Africa soon. So, we're going to be going to Africa," he said. Formula 1 has not raced in Africa since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.
While reflecting on the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Coulthard and Buxton also backed the idea of the Sepang International Circuit returning to the F1 schedule. But with Portugal and Turkey included for 2027 alongside the rumored African addition, the former Red Bull driver questioned where everything fits into the 24-race calendar. Discussing Portimao specifically, Coulthard noted, "Portimao has got a couple of years. Great track for the drivers. We went there, I think, under COVID, so we didn't have an issue with spectators. We're curious to know how many people will turn up there."
Those behind the scenes have already signaled that wheels are turning. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told the media in August 2026 that negotiations are progressing very well for a potential grand prix in Africa. Domenicali also highlighted ongoing discussions in South America and the Far East, while noting that additional requests for a second race in China and Japan are currently on hold to properly consolidate the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton has been pushing hard behind the scenes to make the African round a reality. Ahead of the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton shared that he has spent the past six or seven years fighting with stakeholders to bring F1 back to the continent. Admitting he is chasing them down over dates because he is half African, Hamilton made it clear he intends to stay in the sport until it happens, emphasizing that every other continent has a race and asking why Africa should be left out.
