Stefano Domenicali has dismissed the short-term possibility of F1 ending its three-decade wait for a race in Africa despite stating talks are ongoing with three countries.
F1 last raced on the continent in 1993 at the famed Kyalami circuit north of Johannesburg in South Africa. There have been several attempts to revive the race, all to no avail. In 2023, a deal appeared on the cards, only to fall through on political grounds.
Kyalami currently holds FIA Grade 2 status and would need to be upgraded to Grade 1 to host a grand prix, whilst a street race in Cape Town has also been proposed as a potential venue.
At last year's FIA prize-giving ceremony held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, President Paul Kagame launched an official bid to host a race on behalf of his country. As for the third country, Morocco has previously been mentioned.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has declared his intent to continue racing until a race is staged in Africa.
Hamilton, however, may have to wait a while for his dream to come true. Whilst conversations are taking place, and the various parties in the countries concerned continue to push their respective bids, any venue and deal have to be right for all concerned.
"We are progressing," said Domenicali, speaking to select media at a press conference to announce a new long-term deal with cruise line MSC. "We are working together to try to find the best solution.
"As always, when there is a new opportunity or possibility, we need to ensure there is a long-term vision with the plan. We cannot go to a new place without staying for a long time.
"So we are progressing our discussion with three places in Africa. Realistically speaking, I don't think we're going to have an outcome in the very short term.
"But I can guarantee you, that is, as you know very well, our focus because we are missing one continent, and we want to connect to that. It's a matter of finding the right plan, and, hopefully, we can update you soon on that project."
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