After more than 30 years, the thrilling hum of Formula 1 engines might once again be heard on an African racetrack, with Lewis Hamilton's long-time dream potentially turning into reality this year. South Africa and Rwanda are vying for the coveted spot on the F1 calendar in 2027, looking to be the first African countries to host a Grand Prix since 1993. From the late 60s to the early 90s, the South African Grand Prix was a staple of the F1 season, staging 21 races over 27 years.

But when the mid-90s brought political and economic turmoil, 'the Rainbow Nation' found itself unable to afford the glamour and expense of hosting the glitzy race. However, three decades later, the event could be set for a sensational return, with F1 chiefs planning to plant their flag back on the African continent. Hamilton has been championing the cause of an African Grand Prix for ages and has been lobbying for it behind the scenes. Speaking to ESPN in May 2023, the 40-year-old revealed: "I've been talking about South Africa and that's what I'm pushing for in the background so hopefully you'll see that come to light soon.

"It's a real big dream for me to race in South Africa, and race in Africa in my career is a huge, huge dream for me," he added. "I know I have a big following out there and I know a lot of people are into Formula 1 now there so I'm pushing as hard as I can in the background. I'm going high up to make sure we have that race happen.". However, a return to South Africa is far from certain. Rwanda's bid, which was officially launched in December, has garnered significant support, including from Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, the governing body for global motorsports. "Africa deserves a F1 event and Rwanda is the best place," Sulayem told BBC Sport Africa.

Rwanda, known for its breathtaking natural beauty, plans to capitalise on its unique terrain by building a track that winds through forests and hugs the shores of a picturesque lake, located 25km outside the capital city of Kigali. The circuit will also feature dramatic elevation changes and sharp corners, which have been described as "amazing" by F1 champion Max Verstappen. While Rwanda's bid boasts innovation, South Africa's proposal is steeped in history and prestige. The plan is to stage the Grand Prix at the iconic Kyalami circuit, which has hosted 23 F1 races in the past, on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

"We have hosted the World Cup, South Africa is ready, and we will host the best Formula 1 race," South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, told SportsBoom. "South Africa is the greatest country. We want Rwanda to get Formula 1, we want South Africa to get Formula 1, why when it comes to Africa it must be one? Rwanda's time is here; South Africa's time is here.". F1's anticipated comeback to Africa has been in the pipeline for years, with schemes to reintroduce the continent to the racing calendar proposed and postponed time and again. Yet, it now appears closer than ever to turning into a reality.

Hamilton made a firm stand last August, asserting during the Dutch Grand Prix that F1 could not afford to "ignore" Africa any longer as they expand globally. "We can't be adding races in other locations and continuing to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa," said the seven-time world champion. "There's a huge amount of work needs to be done there. I think a lot of the world that haven't been there don't realise how beautiful the place is, how vast it is. And probably they don't even know what the countries are doing still to those places in terms of holding back. So I think having a Grand Prix there will really be able to highlight just how great the place is and bring in tourism and all sorts of things.".

He added: "Rwanda is one of my favourite places I've been to, actually. I've been doing a lot of work in the background on it, I've spoken to people in Rwanda, I've spoken to people in South Africa. That's a longer project, Rwanda. But it's amazing that they're so keen to be a part of it.". Clearly, F1 champion Verstappen is on the same page as Hamilton when it comes to the thrill of potentially racing in an African Grand Prix. Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, he said: "I would like to race in Africa," and added, "We're very excited to be on that road.".