'It's time for an African F1 race' says official behind Rwanda GP plan
F1
- Last updated: August 10th 2024
Proposals for a Rwanda Grand Prix are serious, and the nation is prepared to host a Formula 1 race, says the man who governs motor racing in the country
1984 South African Grand Prix: Kyalami last hosted an F1 race 31 years ago
Rwanda is “prepared” and “committed” to hold a Formula 1 grand prix, says the president of the national automobile club, which governs motor sport in the country.
Negotiations with series promoter Liberty are gathering pace, as the East African country pushes forward with a bid to bring the world championship back to the continent for the first time since 1993.
A meeting between Rwandan officials and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is scheduled for the end of December, and this year’s FIA prize-giving ceremony, where this year’s F1 champion will be awarded his trophy, will take place in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.
“It’s time for Africa to be part of the F1 calendar,” said Christian Gakwaya, president of the Rwanda Automobile Club, which organises motor racing in the country. “Rwanda as a country, we are committed and prepared to host a Formula 1 race.”
“Rwanda presents an ideal opportunity for Formula 1’s return to Africa”
“We are working within the formal F1 framework and we are serious about our bid.”
Domenicali has gone on the record as saying Rwanda’s representations are “serious.” “They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September,” he told motorsport.com earlier this week.
The F1 boss has previously said that the Formula 1 calendar needs a race in Africa. Lewis Hamilton has long-campaigned for one. “There’s one more race we need and that’s going to be Africa,” said the seven-time world champion last year. “We have all the other continents and why not there? So that’s the one I’m working on pushing right now.”
Kyalami hosted the 1993 South African GP, the last time F1 visited the continent, and the circuit was seen as the frontrunner to host the series’ return. Rwanda’s bid has come as a surprise.
Domenicali is due to discuss proposals for a Rwanda Grand Prix in September
Grand Prix Photo
The country has been scarred by generations of civil war. A devastating genocide against the Tutsi tribe by Hutu militias saw between 500,000 and 800,000 people lose their lives between 1990 and 1994. These events – and further subsequent unrest – have strongly coloured the international community’s view of the country.
Now, similar to initiatives in the Middle East and particularly Saudi Arabia, the country is attempting to change outside perceptions by pushing tourism, particularly through international events.
“Our interest in Formula 1 aligns with the national strategy to leverage sports as a lever for economic transformation,” Gakwaya said.
“As the founding sponsor and host of the NBA’s Basketball Africa League, as well as the upcoming UCI [cycling] World Championship, Rwanda has positioned itself as a premier destination for sports and entertainment.”
The strategy is known as the Vision 2020 initiative. Rwanda already hosts racing events, including the international Mountain Gorilla Rally and members of the Rwanda Development Board travelled to this year’s Monaco Grand Prix to meet racing’s governing body, the FIA. Kigali will be in the spotlight come December, when it will host every world championship winner from 2024 at the FIA’s prize-giving ceremony.
While no details on Rwanda’s proposed circuit are available yet, the country lies at high-altitude. A circuit in or around Kigali would sit at least 1300m above sea level, and potentially much higher, bringing characteristics similar to Mexico, where thinner air reduces downforce, cooling and engine power.
Ranked by the World Bank as the 21st poorest country in the world, the nation does have the infrastructure in place to hold a race, insists Gakwaya.
“With extensive visa freedom, and an airline serving numerous destinations, Rwanda presents an ideal opportunity for Formula 1’s return to Africa,” he said.
“For motor sport in Rwanda, hosting F1 is a key component of a broader strategy we have that includes infrastructure development, capacity building and academies, and a push to host more international events and championships in Rwanda.
“Significant progress has already been made on the new strategy, with additional plans set to be revealed at the upcoming general assembly this December in Kigali.”
Should those plans succeed, then Hamilton could find himself on the grid, back in a country that made an impression when he visited in 2022. “It was a profound and truly moving experience,” he wrote in a social media post. “I’m in love with this country. Thank you for having us, I can’t wait to come back.”
