Rwandan President Declares Bid for Formula One Race

On Friday, Rwandan president Paul Kagame revealed his country’s intention to host a Formula One race, coinciding with an awards ceremony in the capital Kigali where Max Verstappen will receive the champion’s trophy for the fourth consecutive year.

Formula One has not held a race in Africa since the final South African Grand Prix took place at Kyalami, located north of Johannesburg, in 1993.

“I am pleased to officially announce that Rwanda is seeking to reintroduce the excitement of racing to Africa by hosting a Formula One Grand Prix,” Kagame stated in his opening address to the governing FIA’s General Assembly.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Stefano Domenicali and the entire F1 team for the positive strides we’ve made in our discussions thus far.”We are taking this opportunity with the utmost seriousness and dedication it warrants. United, we will create something that brings us all pride.

Domenicali mentioned in August that Rwanda expressed interest in hosting a race at a permanent circuit.

According to media reports, the track, which will be designed by a company led by former Austrian F1 racer Alexander Wurz, is set to be located near a new international airport currently under construction in Bugesera, approximately 40km from Kigali.

In August, seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed that the moment was appropriate for a race in Africa.

The timing is absolutely perfect. We cannot add races in other locations while continuing to overlook Africa, which the rest of the world simply exploits. “No one gives anything to Africa,” remarked the Briton.

“I believe that hosting a Grand Prix there will truly showcase the area’s greatness and attract tourism along with various opportunities.” What is preventing us from being on that continent?

The FIA is conducting its general assemblies in Africa for the first time, with the FIA’s Emirati President Mohammed Ben Sulayem meeting Rwanda’s Sports Minister Richard Nyirihishema earlier in Kigali.

“Being in Rwanda for such a significant moment in the FIA’s calendar highlights the strength of this nation, especially its increasing impact in motorsport,” stated Ben Sulayem.

We share common values and objectives in important areas like innovation, sustainability, and road safety, and I eagerly anticipate our ongoing collaboration. The outlook for motorsport in Africa is promising.

Verstappen is currently engaged in ‘work of public interest’ in Rwanda as a consequence of his inappropriate language during a press conference at the Singapore Grand Prix in October.

The project entails the construction of an Affordable Cross Car, developed locally in Rwanda using blueprints supplied by the FIA.

Kagame has received commendations from both Western and regional leaders for his role in ending the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and transforming the country into a desirable location for investment and assistance.

However, he is also facing allegations of a harsh suppression of dissent within his own country, as well as backing the M23 rebel faction in the nearby Democratic Republic of Congo, which human rights organizations claim are responsible for murders, sexual assaults, and other evident war crimes.

He has consistently refuted the allegations.