Nigeria Enters Race to Host Formula 1 Grand Prix, Led by Marvin Sordell
Nigeria has officially declared its intention to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, with former Premier League player Marvin Sordell spearheading the ambitious bid. This move aims to fill the long-standing gap in F1 racing on the African continent, which has not hosted a race since the 1993 South African Grand Prix.
Joining a growing list of contenders, Nigeria’s proposal includes plans for a new circuit in the capital city of Abuja, complete with a karting track, hotels, and a motorsport museum. This initiative aligns with similar bids from South Africa, Rwanda, and Morocco, all vying to bring F1 back to Africa.
Sordell, who played for clubs like Burnley and Bolton and represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, serves as co-chief executive of Opus Race Promotions. The company has been officially appointed to negotiate with Formula 1 and the FIA on behalf of the Nigerian government.
The Nigerian government appears to support the bid, with Shehu Dikko, chairman of the National Sports Commission, stating, “We are exploring all possibilities to bring Formula 1 to Nigeria as soon as practicable. This initiative is not just about sport; it’s a driver for tourism, infrastructure development, youth engagement, and economic growth.”
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has expressed a strong desire to see the sport return to Africa and has been invited to Abuja to evaluate the proposed project.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has previously emphasized the importance of an African Grand Prix, arguing that the continent deserves a place in the F1 calendar. “We can’t keep ignoring Africa, which the rest of the world takes from,” he remarked last year.
With changes to the race calendar, including the removal of the Dutch Grand Prix after next season and Spa-Francorchamps moving to a biennial schedule starting in 2028, the opportunity for a new African race is becoming more feasible.
