P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley has stated that in order for F1 to sustain the growth it has achieved in recent years, it must have “representation in all continents”, including Africa.
Former F1 mechanic-turned-pundit Marc Priestley believes that F1 expanding back into Africa is inevitable as the championship grows globally, with Lewis Hamilton also advocating for it. The last race on the continent was in South Africa in 1993, but calls for a return have increased as F1 flourishes. Rwanda and South Africa are prime contenders, with the former showing interest and the latter actively pushing for a comeback after over 30 years. Despite F1’s tight schedule, opportunities for expansion may arise with event rotation as seen with the Dutch Grand Prix. Money will play a key role in Africa’s F1 future, as highlighted by Priestley, who sees potential for growth in Rwanda’s tourism sector. The addition of an African grand prix could benefit F1’s global presence and boost the tourism and economy of the host nation, reflecting the rising demand for the sport worldwide.
