Rwanda Makes Historic Bid to Host Africa’s First F1 Race in 30 Years
After 30 years, Africa could reclaim its spot on the F1 calendar with Rwanda leading the charge.
In this handout provided by Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren receives the F1 2nd position award during the FIA Awards 2024 on December 13, 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Rwanda has officially announced its bid to host a Formula One Grand Prix, aiming to bring the world's most prestigious motorsport back to Africa for the first time in three decades.
President Paul Kagame revealed the ambitious plan on Friday, Dec. 13, during the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) General Assembly in Kigali, calling it a bold step toward reestablishing Africa's presence in the F1 calendar.
"I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa by hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix,"Kagame said. "A big thank you to Stefano Domenicali [CEO of Formula 1] and the entire team at Formula 1 for the good progress in our discussions so far.Reviving F1 in Africa
F1's journey in Africa began in 1962 with the inaugural Grand Prix at East London, South Africa, a scenic coastal track that positioned the nation as one of the first non-European countries in the F1 World Championship. The continent last hosted a Grand Prix in 1993 at South Africa's Kyalami Circuit. Efforts to return the sport to South Africa have facedongoing challenges. BBC reports that negotiations collapsed in 2022due to South Africa's ties with Russia.
Rwanda's bid aims to change that. It is backed by Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, who has expressed interest in Africa as a crucial market for the sport's global expansion. "We want to go to Africa, but we need to have the right investment and the right strategic plan," Domenicali saidduring an interview in August.
"We need to have the right moment, and we need to make sure that also in that country, in that region, in that continent, there is the right welcoming because, of course, they have other priorities. We always need to be very careful in making the right choices," he said.
According to theBBC, Formula 1, "is experiencing an unprecedented boom on the continent," with many Africans traveling to the Middle East — home to four annual F1 races — as a popular destination to watch the sport in person. Many would prefer traveling to a race within Africa.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has also been a vocal advocate for F1's return to Africa. "The time is 100 percent right (to stage a race in Africa),"he said. "We can't be adding races in other locations and continue to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa."Rwanda’s Strategic Vision
Hosting an F1 race aligns with Rwanda's broader strategy to enhance its international profile through sports and cultural diplomacy. Over the past decade, Rwanda hassuccessfully leveraged global events to promote tourism and economic development.
Its high-profilesponsorship of the Premier League's Arsenal FC,its role as host of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) championships, and its selection as the venue for the2025 Urban Cycling Road World Championships highlight its growing prominence on the world stage.
The proposed Grand Prix circuit, a permanent track, will be constructed near the newly developed Bugesera International Airport. Designed by former F1 driver Alexander Wurz, the track will likely feature Rwanda's iconic hilly terrain.
If the bid is accepted, Rwanda could join the circuit as soon as the 2026 season begins.
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