Africa’s Growing F1 Fanbase Calls for Inclusion on Race Calendar.

By Caroline Ameh

In a continent-wide surge of Formula 1 enthusiasm, African fans are clamoring for inclusion on the F1 race calendar, seeking representation for their fast-growing community. Led by influencers like Joy Jeptoo, a 24-year-old social media influencer from Kenya, who spent thousands to attend F1 races in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, Africa’s passion for the sport is undeniable.

Despite Africa’s exclusion from the F1 race calendar, its fans, drawn by the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” and enhanced technological access, are fervently engaging with the sport. The Middle East, host to four F1 races annually, has become a popular destination for African fans, but the absence of races on their own continent is keenly felt.

Kamal Onyedikachukwu, the Nigerian mind behind the F1 news account F1 Naija, credits the COVID-19 pandemic for boosting interest as lockdowns led to increased viewership of “Drive to Survive”. Additionally, improved access to live races through platforms like F1 TV and DStv has expanded the sport’s reach across the continent.

In response to the growing demand, F1-viewing parties have become a staple, offering fans an immersive experience with quizzes, giveaways, and live music. In Nairobi, Kenya, entertainment venues vie for fans’ attention during race weekends, hosting events that draw crowds upwards of 1,400 people.

Remarkably, the traditionally male-dominated sport is seeing a rise in female fans. Baaba Jenkins and Queendela Adu-Poku, two Ghanaian women working in finance in London, epitomize this shift. Their podcast, “Hairpins and Straights”, provides in-depth race analysis and aims to increase African representation in F1.

Despite Africa’s fervent fanbase, the continent has not hosted an official F1 race in over three decades. Calls for inclusion have grown louder, with Lewis Hamilton, F1’s most successful black driver, joining the chorus. The historic Kyalami circuit in South Africa is seen as a prime venue, though negotiations have been stymied by political hurdles, including South Africa’s ties with Russia.

Toby Venter, head of the OT Venter group of companies, which owns Kyalami circuit, laments the missed opportunity, emphasizing that F1 is “not a true world championship without Africa.” The fervor among African fans remains undiminished, with hopes high for the day when F1 roars back onto African soil, uniting fans from across the continent in their shared passion for the sport.