Morocco’s $1.2 Billion Formula 1 Gambit: Reviving African Grand Prix in Tangier Megaproject

Morocco dreams of the return of Formula 1, absent since the last edition of the South African Grand Prix in 1993. To achieve its goal, it is betting on an ambitious $1.2 billion plan. This fund will be used to build a world-class complex 20 km south of Tangier, with an FIA Grade 1 circuit, hotels, a theme park, a marina and a logistics hub, aiming for a lasting structural effect beyond just automotive competitions, according to Challenge. Presented as a mini-Abu Dhabi, this project led by the former director of McLaren and Lotus, Eric Boullier, is based on an integrated model combining tourism, events and sports.

It includes a category 1 circuit, capable of hosting F1, the WEC and MotoGP, an amusement park, a shopping center, hotels and a marina. The kingdom has the financial resources for its realization: already $800 million in private investments. It should generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. "I think the arrival of Formula 1 in Morocco would be an extraordinary event for the country. Not only would it highlight Morocco’s dynamism and attractiveness on the international stage, but it would also create thousands of jobs and stimulate the local economy. The project is a bold initiative that could propel Morocco to the rank of leading global destinations for motorsports," says Zoubir Bouhoute, an expert in tourism policy.

A first race is possible in 2027 or 2028. According to Zoubir, the kingdom can succeed in the challenge of organization. "Morocco has already shown great ambition and a strong capacity to organize large-scale international events, as evidenced by its bid for the 2030 World Cup together with Portugal and Spain. Major advances in infrastructure, such as highways, airports and ports, have significantly improved the country’s connectivity and accessibility," he is convinced.

Since Kyalami in 1993, Africa is the only continent that has not hosted a Grand Prix. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali plans to reintroduce Africa to the calendar, with discussions underway with Morocco, Rwanda and South Africa. "Morocco stands out for its advanced planning, its strategic site near Tanger Med and Spain, and an integrated vision linking the circuit, logistics infrastructure and tourism offering." "If this project comes to fruition, it ticks all the boxes of what F1 wants to achieve in Africa," says Eric Boullier.

Hosting a Grand Prix in Morocco would be very beneficial. "A Grand Prix in Morocco would not just be a spectacle: it is a strategic roadmap to strengthen the Kingdom’s soft power, promote international tourism and diversify the economic model. Hosting such an event would help establish Morocco’s ambitions as a continental and global sports hub," explains Bouhoute. And he adds: "Simultaneously, it would stimulate local industrialization, hospitality, logistics and related industries. It is a vision of economic development through sports, which is in line with global dynamics around sporting events and mass tourism."

The first and only Grand Prix held in Casablanca dates back to 1958.