F1 'inevitability' highlighted as calendar continues to expand

Marc Priestley believes it is inevitable that F1 expands back into Africa as the championship expands further around the world.

The series has not raced on the continent since the South African Grand Prix was last held in 1993, but as F1 goes from strength to strength, there have been renewed calls for a return.

In particular, Lewis Hamilton has been a strong advocate of it. Now, former F1 mechanic-turned-pundit Priestley has also thrown his weight behind the move, pointing out that "representation in all continents" is needed for sustained growth.

The FIA recently held its end-of-season prize-giving gala in Kigali, Rwanda's capital city.

The country has stated its intent to apply for a grand prix, and South Africa continues to fight for F1 to return, making those two nations the most likely landing spots for the first race in Africa for over 30 years.

When that might come to fruition remains unclear. F1 currently has 24 rounds, so there is little room for further expansion, but with events like the Dutch Grand Prix falling away in the next couple of years and schedule rotation expected to be introduced, there will be opportunities.

Regardless, Priestley feels money will be central to determining F1's fate in Africa, pointing out that Rwanda's tourism sector is rapidly expanding.

"F1 adding Rwanda or an African grand prix to their calendar is an inevitability because the sport is growing everywhere around the globe," he told Casino Uden Rofus.

"To sustain the growth, you need representation in all continents. It all comes down to money and if a country out there can pay for [a] grand prix to come to their country.

"Rwanda is growing very quickly, F1 can help bring eyeballs to that side of the world and grow the country's tourism and financial situation. There is more demand for F1 than there ever has been."