Formula 1 has officially released its calendar for the 2026 season, confirming the absence of a South African Grand Prix—dashing hopes that the sport would return to the continent next year.

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Despite previous discussions and speculation, the omission does not come as a surprise. The South African government has been clear that its efforts are focused on securing a Grand Prix slot in 2027, not 2026.

Major Shifts in the 2026 F1 Season

One of the biggest changes in the newly revealed schedule is the removal of Italy’s historic Imola circuit. Replacing it is a new Grand Prix in Madrid, which joins Barcelona to make Spain a two-race host for the season. Barcelona will retain its position earlier in the year, while Madrid debuts as a fresh addition to the calendar.

Another notable change is the reshuffling of race dates to group them by region. This geographical reorganization will see all European races run in a continuous block from June 5 to September 13. Similarly, the Asian and North American legs of the season have been scheduled to minimize travel disruptions and improve logistical efficiency.

Interestingly, the Australian Grand Prix reclaims its traditional role as the season opener, kicking off the campaign in Melbourne.

South Africa’s Continued Absence

While the global F1 calendar expands and shifts, South Africa remains on the sidelines. The country hasn’t hosted a Formula 1 race since 1993, when the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit near Johannesburg last featured on the schedule. Despite the circuit’s historical significance and its interest in a modern return, no deal has been finalized for 2026.

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has acknowledged that it received three proposals to host a Grand Prix, with two of those bids widely believed to involve Kyalami and a potential new circuit in the Western Cape. The latter location, however, faces financial constraints. Cape Town’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, expressed support for hosting an event but emphasized that the city could only offer R10 million—far short of the estimated R900 million needed to stage a race. The remainder of the funding would have to be sourced externally.

“The scale of funding required for a Formula 1 event is massive, and we’ve been clear that such a venture must be largely self-financed,” Hill-Lewis said.

The identity of the third bidder remains unknown, adding further mystery to South Africa’s F1 ambitions.

Eyes on 2027

Though 2026 is off the table, South African motorsport fans still have hope for 2027. With ongoing discussions and growing interest from multiple parties, the groundwork is being laid for Formula 1’s return to African soil. For now, however, the continent remains without representation on the global racing calendar.