F1 signs 10-year Rwanda deal to return to Africa in the early 2030s
Formula 1 announced on Tuesday 13 October a 10-year deal with Rwanda to stage an African Grand Prix from the early 2030s. It will be F1's first race in Africa since the 1993 South African GP at Kyalami, and the date of the first event has not been set. There is no race this weekend and the next round is the United States GP on 23–25 October, but this is an official announcement that reshapes the long-term calendar.
The deal: 10 years and a new circuit in Bugesera
According to the PA news agency (carried by the Irish News), F1 confirmed a 10-year agreement with Rwanda, with racing starting in the "early 2030s". The event will be called the African Grand Prix, and Arab News reported it will be presented by Visit Rwanda. It will be held at a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, about 40km (25 miles) south of the capital Kigali and next to the city's new international airport, which is still under construction.
Arab News said the track will be built to FIA Grade 1 standards and will open once completed, which is expected early in the next decade. The project is led by the Rwanda Development Board, with the FIA, the Rwandan government and FOM as partners.
Capital FM Africa reported that WurzDesign, the firm of former F1 driver Alex Wurz, is designing the circuit, working alongside Tilke and DAR. The aim is a fast, flowing layout that uses the hilly terrain's significant elevation changes. PA reported that current drivers are expected to be consulted on the final design.
What they said
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali called the deal "a landmark moment for Formula One" and said Rwanda's arrival would mean racing on every inhabited continent. According to PA, he also said Africa is home to more than 100 million F1 fans. Rwandan President Paul Kagame said, as Capital FM reported, that the world's premier motorsport championship has raced without the continent and that this agreement changes that.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, quoted by Arab News, called it "a historic moment for our sport" and added there is "a lot of hard work ahead". He pointed to the Middle East's growth in motorsport, which began with the 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix, as a model Africa could follow. PA noted that Lewis Hamilton said at the Singapore Grand Prix that Africa is "the most important continent and the most beautiful continent", and that he has long pushed for an African race.
What is still open
- The date of the first race and its place in the season are not confirmed. Capital FM said F1 would want to avoid the main rainy season (March to May), while the shorter rains in October and November are considered less disruptive.
- F1 is reportedly committed to keeping the season to no more than 24 races, so a new event could squeeze out another venue. The reports do not say which.
- No financial terms have been confirmed.
- Capital FM noted the race is likely to be controversial, as Rwanda has been accused of sportswashing, and the Democratic Republic of Congo has brought a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice.
The race itself is a long way off, but with the calendar capped at 24 rounds, the question of which venue gives up a slot is likely to become a talking point in future calendar discussions.