Formula 1 returns to Africa: agreement signed with Rwanda

The Formula 1 world championship will return to the African continent after a multi-year break. The competition organizers have signed a ten-year agreement with Rwanda, which will host the new African Grand Prix in the early 2030s. A special international-class race track will be built in the country to host the races.

This was announced by the Formula 1 press service on Tuesday, October 13. The agreement was officially presented in the Rwandan capital Kigali in the presence of the country's President Paul Kagame, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem.

The new round will be called the African Grand Prix and will be the first Formula 1 race on the continent since 1993. Then the last African round of the championship was held at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa.

According to the agreement, the races will be held at a purpose-built circuit in the Bugesera area, located about 40 kilometers south of Kigali, near the new international airport.

Construction of the circuit is expected to be completed at the beginning of the next decade. The exact date of the first Grand Prix has not yet been determined and will depend on the readiness of the infrastructure.

The circuit is planned to be built in accordance with the highest FIA Grade 1 requirements necessary for hosting Formula 1 races.

The project envisages a track about six kilometers long with 17 corners. One of its main features will be the challenging terrain: the elevation change on a lap can reach 197 meters.

The design is being worked on by WurzDesign, headed by former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz, and the architectural firm Tilke Engineers and Architects, which has been involved in the creation of several famous race tracks.

The developers intend to make use of the natural features of the area, including hills and a nearby lake. The final configuration of the track is still being developed.

Rwandan authorities view the construction of the circuit as part of a larger project to develop sports, tourism and commercial infrastructure.

In addition to hosting the Grand Prix, the complex is planned to be used for other international motorsport competitions, concerts, conferences and mass events. A karting track, a driver training center and off-road competition areas are also planned.

According to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the ten-year agreement should contribute to job creation, skills development, attracting tourists and new investments.

“This partnership is an investment in Rwanda's future. The Bugesera circuit, together with the new international airport, will bring jobs, new skills, tourism and business to our country and the region,” said Kagame.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali described the agreement as an important stage in the championship's international expansion.

According to him, after returning to Africa, Formula 1 races will be held on all inhabited continents of the planet.

The organization notes the significant potential of the African market. According to Formula 1 data, there are more than 100 million fans of the championship on the continent. Moreover, almost 60% of fans in key sub-Saharan African markets are under 35 years old.

The return of the championship to Africa has been repeatedly supported by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The British driver urged organizers to reinstate the African round, noting that the continent had long been the only inhabited region of the world without Formula 1 races.

Other African countries, including South Africa, had previously bid for the Grand Prix. However, the championship organizers chose Rwanda's project, which includes the construction of a new circuit and long-term development of related infrastructure.

Throughout the history of the world championship, Formula 1 races have taken place in Africa in only two countries. Morocco hosted a single round in 1958, while South Africa hosted events a total of 23 times.

The organizers intend to announce later the final timeline for the construction of the circuit, the date of the first African Grand Prix and the details of the race weekend.

Based on materials from: Formula 1, Formula 1 — project details, FIA.