F1 Returns to Africa for First Time Since 1993 With 10-Year Rwanda Grand Prix Deal
Formula 1 will race in Africa for the first time in over 30 years after signing a 10-year deal for an African Grand Prix in Rwanda, starting in the early 2030s.
What happened
Formula 1 has announced it will return to Africa for the first time in more than three decades. Rwanda will host an African Grand Prix from the early 2030s under a 10-year contract, F1 and Rwandan President Paul Kagame said on 13 October.
The announcement follows a campaign by Kagame to bring the sport to the continent. Lewis Hamilton had also long said he wanted F1 to race in Africa, and outlets including The Guardian and The Telegraph framed the news as an answer to that wish. According to The Independent, Rwanda beat South Africa to the slot.
The last F1 race on the continent was the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, north of Johannesburg.
The track and the plan
The circuit will be built in Bugesera, about 25 miles south of Kigali and next to the capital's new international airport. It was designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz. F1 says it is meant to use the area's elevation changes to create a fast, flowing layout with good viewing for fans.
Three companies will oversee the build. Long-time F1 track architect Tilke and DAR will work alongside WurzDesign.
F1 president Stefano Domenicali called it "a landmark moment for F1", saying the sport would now be racing "on every inhabited continent". Kagame said the race would bring jobs, skills and tourism, and speak to what he described as more than 100 million F1 fans across Africa.
Sportswashing concerns
The deal is expected to be controversial. BBC Sport notes that Rwanda has previously been accused of sportswashing, including over its sponsorship of Arsenal and Aston Villa. The country's neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo, has filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice, alleging breaches of several international treaties.
Amnesty International UK's Felix Jakens said Rwanda is "buying into the world's biggest sports to polish its image". He urged F1 to use its influence to push for change. An F1 spokesperson said sport "can be a positive force for good".
What it means for the F1 calendar
No date has been set. According to BBC Sport, it has not yet been decided where the race fits in the season. The sport is likely to avoid Rwanda's main rainy season of March to May. A shorter rainy season runs from October to November.
With the calendar capped at 24 races, GPblog reports that existing circuits without a contract beyond 2029 could be at risk of losing their place.
What it means for you
For fans in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, nothing changes soon. The race is years away, and the sources give no broadcast details or race date. The calendar for the early 2030s is still to be set, so the slot and any shift in other races will emerge later. Watch for F1 announcements on the track's construction and the schedule.
Also read Netflix Gets Exclusive 2030 World Cup Rights in Spain and Andorra, With Free Matches
Quick answers
When will the first Rwanda Grand Prix take place?
No exact date has been announced. F1 says only that the race will start "in the early 2030s", once the new track has been built.
Where will the African Grand Prix be held?
It will be held on a new circuit in Bugesera, about 25 miles south of Kigali and beside the city's new international airport.
Will the race mean fewer races elsewhere?
F1 says it is committed to no more than 24 races a season. The sources do not say which races might drop off.
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