Africa’s growing community of Formula 1 (F1) fans are eager to see a race take place on the continent. Currently, Africa is the only continent excluded from the F1 race calendar, leading many African fans to travel to the Middle East to watch races in person. The popularity of F1 in Africa has been attributed to the Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive,” which has introduced the sport to a wider audience beyond Europe. The Covid-19 pandemic also played a role in boosting interest, as people turned to watching F1 during lockdowns. Technology has also contributed to the sport’s growth in Africa, with fans now able to access live races through streaming services and subscription TV channels. F1-viewing parties have become a popular alternative for fans who want a more exciting race experience, with entertainment hotspots in Nairobi competing to attract fans during race weekends. The rise of female fans in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport is also notable, with more women showing interest in the engineering side of F1. Despite the large following F1 has in Africa, the continent has not hosted an official race in over three decades. African fans, along with Lewis Hamilton, the sport’s most successful and only black driver, have been advocating for a race to be held on the continent. While there have been reports of F1 considering a return to Morocco or potentially racing in Rwanda or Zanzibar, the Kyalami circuit in South Africa is seen as the most suitable venue. Kyalami, which hosted multiple F1 races in the past, is considered one of the sport’s historic circuits. However, negotiations for a return to South Africa fell through due to political factors. African fans believe that F1 coming to Africa would attract a large audience and make the sport a true world championship.

Original news source: Africa’s new F1 fans who want a race on the continent (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then summarize the main points in their own words. They can then share their summaries with a partner or the whole class.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and have each group discuss and debate the following question: “Do you think Formula 1 should have a race in Africa? Why or why not?” After the discussion, each group can present their opinions and the class can vote on the most convincing argument.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Give students a list of key vocabulary words from the article (e.g. F1, docuseries, pandemic, streaming services, Kyalami circuit) and have them draw pictures to represent each word. They can then take turns showing their pictures and having their classmates guess the corresponding words.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions: Divide the class into two groups and assign one group to represent the pros and the other group to represent the cons of having a Formula 1 race in Africa. Each group can then present their arguments and have a debate, with the goal of convincing the other group to change their position.

– Future Predictions

Instructions: Have students imagine that Formula 1 announces a race in Africa in the near future. In pairs or small groups, they can discuss and make predictions about the impact this race would have on the continent. They can discuss potential economic, social, and cultural effects, as well as the overall significance for the sport of Formula 1. Each group can then present their predictions to the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What factors have contributed to the growing popularity of Formula 1 in Africa?
2. Why do African fans currently have to travel to the Middle East to watch F1 races in person?
3. How has technology played a role in the growth of F1 in Africa?
4. What are F1-viewing parties and why have they become popular in Africa?
5. What is notable about the rise of female fans in F1 in Africa?
6. How long has it been since Africa hosted an official F1 race?
7. Which countries in Africa have been considered as potential hosts for an F1 race?
8. Why did negotiations for a return to South Africa as an F1 host fall through?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

(1)______’s growing community of Formula 1 (F1) fans are (2)______ to see a race take place on the continent. Currently, Africa is the only continent excluded from the F1 race calendar, leading many African fans to travel to the Middle East to (3)______ races in person. The popularity of F1 in Africa has been attributed to the Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive,” which has (4)______ the sport to a wider audience beyond Europe. The Covid-19 pandemic also played a role in boosting interest, as people turned to watching F1 during lockdowns. Technology has also contributed to the sport’s growth in Africa, with fans now able to access live races through streaming (5)______ and subscription TV channels. F1-viewing parties have become a popular (6)______ for fans who want a more exciting race experience, with (7)______ hotspots in Nairobi competing to (8)______ fans during race weekends. The rise of female fans in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport is also notable, with more women (9)______ interest in the engineering side of F1. Despite the large following F1 has in Africa, the (10)______ has not hosted an official race in over three decades. African fans, along with Lewis Hamilton, the sport’s most successful and only (11)______ driver, have been advocating for a race to be held on the continent. While there have been (12)______ of F1 considering a return to (13)______ or potentially racing in Rwanda or Zanzibar, the (14)______ circuit in South Africa is seen as the most suitable venue. Kyalami, which hosted multiple F1 races in the past, is considered one of the (15)______’s historic circuits. However, negotiations for a return to South Africa fell through due to political factors. African fans (16)______ that F1 coming to Africa would attract a large audience and make the sport a true world championship.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is Formula 1 and why is it popular in Africa?
2. How would you feel if Formula 1 races were held in your country?
3. Do you like watching Formula 1 races? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the rise of female fans in Formula 1?
5. Have you ever attended a viewing party or event for a sports competition? How was your experience?
6. What do you think about the idea of Formula 1 being a true world championship and including races in Africa?
7. How do you think hosting a Formula 1 race in Africa would benefit the continent?
8. Do you think Formula 1 races should be held in different countries each year, or should they have permanent venues?
9. How has technology, such as streaming services, influenced your sports viewing experience?
10. What other sports do you think should be more inclusive and attract a wider audience?
11. Why do you think Africa has not hosted an official Formula 1 race in over three decades?
12. How do you think hosting a Formula 1 race could impact tourism and the economy in Africa?
13. What challenges do you think African countries might face in hosting a Formula 1 race?
14. How do you think the presence of Lewis Hamilton, as the only black driver in Formula 1, has influenced the sport’s popularity in Africa?
15. Do you think Formula 1 races should prioritize inclusivity and diversity in terms of drivers and locations? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. attributed
2. docuseries
3. subscription
4. alternative
5. notable
6. advocating
7. considering
8. potentially
9. suitable
10. historic
11. negotiations
12. pandemic
13. streaming
14. engineering
15. audience

Meanings:
(A) A payment arrangement for regular access to a service
(B) Regarded as being caused by
(C) Possibly but not yet certain
(D) Another option or choice
(E) Having importance in history
(F) Thinking about or planning
(G) A television series that is factual and documentary in nature
(H) Transmitting or receiving data over the internet in real-time
(I) The assembled spectators or listeners at an event
(J) Worthy of attention or notice
(K) Discussions aimed at reaching an agreement
(L) The branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of machines
(M) Publicly supporting or recommending
(N) A widespread outbreak of a disease
(O) Appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What has contributed to the growing popularity of F1 in Africa?
(a) The lack of other sports options during lockdowns
(b) The availability of F1 merchandise in Africa
(c) The absence of other entertainment options in Africa
(d) The Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive”

2. Where do many African F1 fans currently travel to watch races in person?
(a) Europe
(b) The Middle East
(c) South America
(d) Asia

3. How has technology contributed to the growth of F1 in Africa?
(a) Fans can participate in virtual F1 races on their smartphones
(b) Fans can download F1-themed mobile games
(c) Fans can watch F1 races in virtual reality
(d) Fans can access live races through streaming services and subscription TV channels

4. What alternative race experience have F1 fans in Africa been enjoying?
(a) F1-themed escape rooms
(b) F1-themed amusement parks
(c) F1-viewing parties
(d) F1-themed cooking classes

5. What is notable about the rise of F1 fans in Africa?
(a) More women are showing interest in the engineering side of F1
(b) More children are becoming professional F1 drivers
(c) More African countries are hosting F1 races
(d) More African drivers are competing in F1 races

6. Who has been advocating for a race to be held in Africa?
(a) Lewis Hamilton
(b) Sebastian Vettel
(c) Max Verstappen
(d) Charles Leclerc

7. Which circuit in South Africa is seen as the most suitable venue for an F1 race?
(a) Cape Town Street Circuit
(b) Kyalami
(c) Durban Street Circuit
(d) Zwartkops Raceway

8. Why did negotiations for a return to South Africa fall through?
(a) Lack of interest from African fans
(b) Lack of suitable infrastructure
(c) Political factors
(d) Financial constraints

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Technology, such as streaming services and subscription TV channels, has contributed to the growth of Formula 1 in Africa.
2. Many African fans travel to the Middle East to watch Formula 1 races in person.
3. The Covid-19 pandemic has diminished interest in Formula 1 in Africa.
4. The Kyalami circuit in South Africa is not considered a suitable venue for a Formula 1 race in Africa.
5. The popularity of Formula 1 in Africa has been attributed to live broadcasts of races.
6. More women in Africa are showing interest in the engineering side of Formula 1.
7. Africa is currently included in the Formula 1 race calendar.
8. F1-viewing parties have become a popular alternative for African fans to experience the races.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What factors have contributed to the growing popularity of Formula 1 in Africa?
2. How have African fans been able to access live races of Formula 1?
3. What alternative race experience have fans in Africa been enjoying?
4. What is notable about the rise of female fans in Formula 1 in Africa?
5. Why have negotiations for a return of Formula 1 to South Africa fallen through?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The factors that have contributed to the growing popularity of Formula 1 in Africa include the Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive” introducing the sport to a wider audience, the Covid-19 pandemic leading to increased interest in watching F1 during lockdowns, and technology allowing fans to access live races through streaming services and subscription TV channels.

2. African fans currently have to travel to the Middle East to watch F1 races in person because Africa is the only continent excluded from the F1 race calendar.

3. Technology has played a role in the growth of F1 in Africa by allowing fans to access live races through streaming services and subscription TV channels.

4. F1-viewing parties are events where fans gather to watch F1 races together. They have become popular in Africa as an alternative for fans who want a more exciting race experience. Entertainment hotspots in Nairobi, for example, compete to attract fans during race weekends.

5. The rise of female fans in F1 in Africa is notable because it is a traditionally male-dominated sport. More women in Africa are showing interest in the engineering side of F1.

6. It has been over three decades since Africa hosted an official F1 race.

7. The countries in Africa that have been considered as potential hosts for an F1 race include Morocco, Rwanda, and Zanzibar. However, the Kyalami circuit in South Africa is seen as the most suitable venue due to its history of hosting multiple F1 races in the past.

8. Negotiations for a return to South Africa as an F1 host fell through due to political factors.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Africa
(2) eager
(3) watch
(4) introduced
(5) services
(6) alternative
(7) entertainment
(8) attract
(9) showing
(10) continent
(11) black
(12) reports
(13) Morocco
(14) Kyalami
(15) sport
(16) believe
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. attributed
Answer: (B) Regarded as being caused by

2. docuseries
Answer: (G) A television series that is factual and documentary in nature

3. subscription
Answer: (A) A payment arrangement for regular access to a service

4. alternative
Answer: (D) Another option or choice

5. notable
Answer: (J) Worthy of attention or notice

6. advocating
Answer: (M) Publicly supporting or recommending

7. considering
Answer: (F) Thinking about or planning

8. potentially
Answer: (C) Possibly but not yet certain

9. suitable
Answer: (O) Appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose

10. historic
Answer: (E) Having importance in history

11. negotiations
Answer: (K) Discussions aimed at reaching an agreement

12. pandemic
Answer: (N) A widespread outbreak of a disease

13. streaming
Answer: (H) Transmitting or receiving data over the internet in real-time

14. engineering
Answer: (L) The branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of machines

15. audience
Answer: (I) The assembled spectators or listeners at an event
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What has contributed to the growing popularity of F1 in Africa?
Answer: (d) The Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive”

2. Where do many African F1 fans currently travel to watch races in person?
Answer: (b) The Middle East

3. How has technology contributed to the growth of F1 in Africa?
Answer: (d) Fans can access live races through streaming services and subscription TV channels

4. What alternative race experience have F1 fans in Africa been enjoying?
Answer: (c) F1-viewing parties

5. What is notable about the rise of F1 fans in Africa?
Answer: (a) More women are showing interest in the engineering side of F1

6. Who has been advocating for a race to be held in Africa?
Answer: (a) Lewis Hamilton

7. Which circuit in South Africa is seen as the most suitable venue for an F1 race?
Answer: (b) Kyalami

8. Why did negotiations for a return to South Africa fall through?
Answer: (c) Political factors
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Technology, such as streaming services and subscription TV channels, has contributed to the growth of Formula 1 in Africa. (Answer: True)
2. Many African fans travel to the Middle East to watch Formula 1 races in person. (Answer: True)
3. The Covid-19 pandemic has diminished interest in Formula 1 in Africa. (Answer: False)
4. The Kyalami circuit in South Africa is not considered a suitable venue for a Formula 1 race in Africa. (Answer: False)
5. The popularity of Formula 1 in Africa has been attributed to live broadcasts of races. (Answer: False)
6. More women in Africa are showing interest in the engineering side of Formula 1. (Answer: True)
7. Africa is currently included in the Formula 1 race calendar. (Answer: False)
8. F1-viewing parties have become a popular alternative for African fans to experience the races. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧