David Coulthard suggests an upcoming announcement regarding the F1 African Grand Prix.

"Portimao has a couple of years ahead. It's an excellent circuit for the drivers. We visited during COVID, so we didn't face any spectator issues. We're eager to see how many fans will show up there," Coulthard remarked.

"I’m hearing whispers that we'll have news about Africa soon. So, it looks like we’re headed to Africa."

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali informed the media in August 2026 that "negotiations are moving along very well" regarding the potential return of a grand prix in Africa. 

"What I can share is that discussions are advancing positively in Africa," Domenicali stated. "Next year, we will return to Portugal and Turkey, and we are engaging in further talks with [countries] in South America; discussions are ongoing in the Far East.

Nigel Mansell, Williams leads at the start

"One thing I can tell you is that we have received more requests [for a second race] in China and Japan, but for now, we prefer to maintain just one race in China as we need to strengthen our presence in that market before considering additional options there." 

F1 has not held a race in Africa since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton has been advocating for F1 to reinstate Africa on the calendar for quite some time.

"For the past six or seven years, I’ve been working behind the scenes to secure a grand prix … meeting with stakeholders and asking, ‘Why aren’t we in Africa?’," he expressed ahead of the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

"I don’t want to exit the sport without having a grand prix there, without experiencing a race there, so I’m pursuing them. They’re establishing certain timelines, and I’m thinking: ‘Wow, I could be running out of time’, so I plan to be here for a while until that occurs. It would be incredible, especially since I’m half African. There’s a race on every other continent; why not Africa? I know they’re genuinely trying."