The Global Reach of Formula One Formula One has its roots and history firmly planted in Europe, yet the big money paying hosts for an F1 event are generally from outside the home base of the sport. The Middle East has over the years secured four race weekends, and despite their relative lack of visitors when compared to the likes of Silverstone—with over half a million—the pockets of the Arab paymasters run deep.
Unlike many of the US mega-sports which are mostly consumed by a domestic audience, Formula One is truly a global event. In fact, it attracts more eyeballs than any other annual global sport, only eclipsed by the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, which are only held every four years.
The Race for Africa: Early Contenders One glaring absence on F1’s global calendar is hosting a race on the continent of Africa. And there are a number of contenders competing to wear this badge of honour. Egypt has on the quiet built an entire Olympic Park just outside of Cairo and has plans to include an FIA Grade 1 licensed motorsport circuit.
In a desperate bid to save his FIFA presidency, Gianni Infantino has reportedly offered Morocco the 2030 World Cup final. The competition will be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain, and the African nation; yet all expectations were that the final would take place in one of Spain’s mega football venues, probably in Madrid.
Morocco too has expressed an interest in hosting an F1 event, to be held at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech. Morocco has a history of hosting Formula E and WTCR, although major upgrades to the Marrakech circuit would be required to host F1.
South Africa’s Dual Proposals South Africa currently has two potential F1 offerings. The first is at the historic Kyalami circuit, which was the last African F1 venue back in 1993. Much of the iconic old circuit has been sold for commercial development, but there are plans to reinvigorate what is left to FIA Grade 1 status. Currently, the status of the project is mired in talks between government officials and private investors.
The government in fact pulled out of a deal back in 2024 due to alleged greed from one of the race promoters. Yet talks have now resumed on the revival of Kyalami.
More promising is an active proposal/pitch to the FIA from Cape Town to host an F1 seafront street race. The backdrop of Table Mountain would provide iconic views and promote international tourism, which is weak due to South Africa’s reputation for violent crime.
That said, this writer visited Cape Town in February this year and felt much safer than walking through most London districts at night. However, there has been some residential pushback over closing down the southern capital of South Africa for several weeks—something the taxpayers in Las Vegas were plagued with during the year of their inaugural race.
Political Roadblocks in South Africa Cape Town makes a more sensible proposal than Kyalami, given it is an internationally recognised and iconic tourist destination. Yet the Western Cape region, which includes the city, is currently proposing tentative discussions with the government in Pretoria over becoming an independent country apart from South Africa.
South Africa is based on a federal constitution, and the current deficit in the Pretoria government accounts would welcome the massive fee the Western Cape province of seven million people would pay for independence. However, from a political perspective, Cape Town hosting the South African Grand Prix is less palatable for the Pretoria government, much as was the case for Spain’s capital, Madrid, towards the Catalan capital, Barcelona.
Speaking to City AM, the South African Sports Minister opened up on the topic of international sport coming to his country this week. “The Olympics will come for the first time to the African continent,” said the 52-year-old Patriotic Alliance party member, Gayton McKenzie. “We have some stuff that is coming to South Africa. People don’t want to talk about it, but it’s an uncomfortable truth that there’s always been [something against] South Africa: no F1, no Olympics, no major soccer tournament [until 2010].
“If you look at the African continent, and then you look at Europe—between Monza, Imola, and Monaco, it’s a close distance—you have got three Formula 1 races, and in the whole African continent, there is none.”
Rwanda Steps Up as the Frontrunner Yet Formula One is not some kind of global democracy; it is rooted in its history and where the fanbase is. That currently remains strongly in favour of Europe, although the US market is showing signs of audience growth—but it remains eclipsed by the massive support in F1’s homelands.
Further, South Africa is no longer even the number one contender for a Grand Prix on the continent. Rwanda has an “official bid” status attached to its F1 future. This includes a presidentially backed purpose-built Grade 1 venue near Bugesera Airport (Kigali) with an Alex Wurz-designed mega track, built to utilise Rwanda’s iconic “land of a thousand hills,” featuring dramatic elevation changes, sharp corners, forests, and views of a picturesque lake.
All this is part of a mega sporting complex costing in excess of $1bn, and is part of Rwanda’s push to develop tourism through sport. The F1 push follows Rwanda’s recent hosting of major global events, including the 2025 UCI Road World Championships (the first ever held in Africa) and the Basketball Africa League. The 93rd FIFA Congress was also held in the country and used as an opportunity to announce the government’s views on bringing marquee sporting events to Rwanda as key drivers for tourism and foreign investment.
So it appears politics and internal disagreements are disabling any South African push to host an F1 event. Further, construction on the Rwanda circuit will begin shortly and it is expected to be ready to host F1 in 2029.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
