‘Africa Always Been Part Of Formula 1’s Future’: ‘The Land Of A Thousand Hills’ Secures The Sport’s Return On The Continent

Africa is set to welcome Formula 1 action again, with a 10-year deal bringing the race to Rwanda starting in the early 2030s.

It has been over three decades since the motorsport has been hosted on the continent, with Alain Prost beating the late great Ayrton Senna in South Africa in 1993.

Formula 1’s decision to tap Rwanda for the rights to host will come as a setback for South Africa, who were also in contention for a slot on the coveted calendar.

A few weeks ago, private consortium Blue Mountain Racing announced its intention to build a $400 million Grand Prix track on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Despite Rwanda receiving the nod, South Africa’s Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie insisted on X that “South Africa will get Formula 1, even before 2030,” highlighting that there is room for two race weekends in Africa, given that some countries such as the United States and Italy host multiple races.

Whether South Africa will join Rwanda is unknown, but for now, Africa’s home Grand Prix will belong to the tiny East African nation. President Paul Kagame has been vocal about his desire to bring Formula 1 to the landlocked nation, spearheading a new purpose-built circuit some 40 kilometers south of Rwanda’s capital city of Kigali.

The track is expected to break ground and be completed early in the next decade.

“This 10-year partnership is also an investment in Rwanda’s future. The circuit in Bugesera, alongside the new international airport, will bring jobs, skills, tourism and new business to our country and our region for decades to come…We look forward to welcoming the world to Rwanda for the African Grand Prix,” Kagame said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, who confirmed Africa to have over 100 million Formula 1 fans, said, “With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent… Africa has always been part of Formula 1’s future.”