Rwanda is making a serious move to bring Formula 1 racing to the African continent, with talks scheduled for next month between Rwandan representatives and Formula 1 chiefs.
Formula 1 officials have arranged a meeting with representatives from Rwanda in September to advance discussions about hosting a grand prix. This comes as part of F1’s broader strategy to expand its calendar globally, with Africa being a key target for new races. Although several African nations have shown interest, Rwanda’s plans are reportedly the most advanced.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed Rwanda’s serious intentions in an exclusive interview. ‘They are serious,’ Domenicali stated. ‘They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent track.’ Rwanda’s increasing enthusiasm for motor racing was highlighted by the Rwanda Development Board’s attendance at the Monaco Grand Prix this year to meet with the FIA.
Additionally, Rwanda will host this year’s FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize Giving Ceremony in Kigali. With F1 successfully expanding in the United States with races in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas, the focus is now on other global regions. Africa has not hosted an F1 race since the South African Grand Prix in 1993, and Domenicali emphasized the need for the right investment and strategic planning to ensure a successful return.
Domenicali elaborated on the current state of global interest in hosting F1 races. ‘Up until 2020 we were in a situation where the number of places that wanted to host F1 were not so numerous,’ he explained. ‘Now, we are on the other side. We have so many places around the world that want to host F1 that it allows us to make sure that we are working together with all of them to grow the experience.’
The potential inclusion of Rwanda on the F1 calendar would mark a significant milestone in the sport’s history. Domenicali also mentioned ongoing discussions with Thailand about a possible grand prix in Bangkok, which underscores F1’s global expansion efforts. With these developments, F1 aims to carefully select the best venues to enhance its calendar and provide an exceptional experience for teams and fans.
Rwanda’s bid to host a Formula 1 race signifies a promising step towards bringing the sport back to Africa. With serious talks scheduled and increasing global interest, F1 continues to strategically expand its footprint worldwide.
