Domenicali: F1 still committed to Africa, but key guarantees needed

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has reaffirmed the sport’s commitment to bringing a Grand Prix back to Africa but emphasized that critical guarantees are still needed before a race can be added to the calendar.

Africa last hosted a Formula 1 event in 1993 at South Africa’s Kyalami circuit, located just north of Johannesburg. Since then, the sport has been absent from the continent, leaving a gap in F1’s global presence.

Recent years have seen renewed momentum, with three potential venues under consideration: a new circuit on the outskirts of Kigali, Rwanda, near the under-construction Bugesera International Airport; a return to the historic Kyalami track; and a proposed street circuit in Cape Town.

While no final decision has been made, Domenicali firmly denied suggestions that the talks have stalled. “That’s not the right word,” Domenicali told Autosport, signaling active engagement in the process.

Key Guarantees and a Sustainable Model

The Italian explained that Formula 1 is still actively working on the project but outlined the key hurdles that must be overcome before a deal can be confirmed.

“Before taking that step, we need guarantees on three fronts: investment that benefits the community beyond F1’s presence, infrastructure (not just a circuit, but hotels, roads, airports), and an economic base that can support the event long-term," Domenicali said.

“We’re not on standby – we’re working to assess what’s still missing before we can say, ‘Okay, let’s go.’ But we’re not there yet.”

The proposed African Grand Prix would not expand the calendar beyond its current 24-race limit, which Domenicali has set as the maximum.

Instead, it would replace an existing round, aligning with F1’s strategy to balance global expansion with logistical sustainability.

Las Vegas: A Model for Africa?

Drawing inspiration from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Domenicali suggested that the African race could adopt a similar promotional model, where the host region takes a leading role in organizing the event.

“It’s been a big success,” he said, praising Las Vegas’s, despite its high initial costs. “But as with any new project, you can’t expect to recoup investment immediately.

“If we judge the event itself, Las Vegas has clearly been a win for F1. Beyond the media exposure, it helped us secure commercial deals that would’ve been hard to land otherwise.”

Domenicali acknowledged the financial burden on the local community in Las Vegas, but highlighted the significant economic benefits

“I won’t deny the costs for the local community have been high," he admitted.

“The economic impact of the Vegas weekend has been massive for two years running – bigger than the Super Bowl. The local community has seen huge financial benefits.”

To optimize returns, F1 has taken direct control of the Las Vegas event, with the organizational team now reporting to F1’s central management.

“We’ve revised the structure to accelerate ROI. We want more involvement from local investors,” he noted, signaling a model that could guide Africa’s entry.

“We must keep investing and believing in the project. Let’s not forget: while we’ve made great strides in the U.S., there’s still huge growth potential – we must keep increasing our visibility.”

As Formula 1 continues to push for global expansion, Domenicali’s comments underline that Africa remains a priority — but also a challenge that must meet strict conditions before it can become reality.

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