The momentum for a Formula 1 return to the African continent continues to build, with Haas driver Esteban Ocon adding his voice to the growing chorus of support.
Speaking to SuperSport ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend, Ocon expressed a sincere desire to compete on African soil.
“I would absolutely love to race in Africa; that would be awesome,” Ocon told SuperSport.
“To be honest, I haven’t thought about it that much because nobody has really spoken to me about it before, but it would be an amazing experience.”
“I’d also love the opportunity to explore more of Africa, see the nature, and experience the continent. I’ve actually never been to Africa before—I’ve never even been to South Africa.”
Ocon highlighted the current gap in the racing calendar, noting that while the sport has successfully expanded into regions like the Middle East, Africa remains a missing piece of the global puzzle.
When the conversation turned to potential venues, the Haas driver revealed his admiration for South Africa’s historic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg.
“I’ve seen that track before,” Ocon said.
“I’ve watched some footage of the Grand Prix that was held there back in the day. It looked like an awesome circuit. Hopefully, one day we can race there again.”
The long-awaited roar of high-performance engines returns this weekend as the global sporting spotlight shifts to the asphalt of the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit.
As the 2026 Formula 1 season kicks off in Australia this Sunday (08 March), SuperSport is proud to announce its most comprehensive broadcast commitment to date, ensuring that African racing enthusiasts enjoy a front-row seat to what is arguably the most unpredictable and technologically transformative year in the history of the sport.
The opening race in Melbourne will be broadcast live on SuperSport this Sunday, 8 March, from 05:55am, with unrivalled coverage available on the SuperSport Motorsport Channel and SuperSport Grandstand, as well as on Maximo.
At the heart of this weekend’s unrivalled coverage is the esteemed Nqobile Kwezi.
From the first practice session in the cool Melbourne autumn to the high-stakes finale in Abu Dhabi, SuperSport’s dedicated team will be delivering exclusive interviews, technical insights, and the visceral atmosphere that only a trackside presence can provide.
The 2026 campaign arrives on the heels of a 2025 season that redefined the word “tense.”
In a battle that went down to the final laps under the desert lights, Lando Norris of McLaren-Mercedes finally ascended the throne, securing his maiden Drivers’ Championship by a razor-thin two-point margin.
While Max Verstappen’s victory in the 2025 finale nearly closed the gap, Norris’s clinical third-place finish was enough to keep the crown in Woking.
It was a historic year for McLaren, who also secured their second consecutive Constructors’ Championship, aided by a stellar performance from Oscar Piastri, who rounded out the championship top three after leading the standings for much of the year.
However, the 2026 season marks the most dramatic technical reset in over a decade.
This year introduces a revolutionary power unit featuring a 50/50 hybrid-combustion split and the elimination of the MGU-H.
The cars themselves have been reimagined—smaller, 30kg lighter, and equipped with active aerodynamics in the form of movable front and rear wings that replace the traditional DRS.
With the new “Manual Override” or “Overtake Mode,” drivers now have a tactical burst of energy at their fingertips, a change that has already turned pre-season expectations on their head during testing in Sakhir.
The competitive landscape for the year ahead is wide open.
George Russell and Mercedes have emerged from testing as early favourites, with their new chassis package appearing particularly settled.
Yet, the grid is far from certain. Red Bull enters 2026 as a wildcard, now powered by their first-ever in-house Red Bull-Ford power unit.
Meanwhile, defending champion Lando Norris has suggested that while the McLaren MCL41 shows immense development potential, the team may need to bridge a gap to their rivals in the opening rounds.
The paddock also welcomes intriguing newcomers, with Audi officially joining the grid after acquiring Sauber, and Cadillac debuting as the 11th team.
Powered by Ferrari engines, Cadillac enters the fray with the veteran experience of Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas.
While the technical war rages, the human element remains central, with Charles Leclerc standing as Ferrari’s primary hope in the favourites’ stall and rookies like Arvid Lindblad looking to make their mark at Racing Bulls.
Melbourne’s Albert Park launches this new era with more unknowns than at any point in recent history.
The 5.278-kilometre street circuit blends long straights with technical corners that will test the new 18-inch Pirelli tires, which now feature a reduced contact patch.
With rapid temperature swings and the ever-present threat of rain, the strategy calls made by teams this Sunday will set the tone for the entire year.
