Rwandan President Paul Kagame has announced that the country is bidding to host a Formula 1 race. During the FIA General Assembly in Kigali, Kagame revealed that the planned circuit near Bugesera Airport should be able to host a Grand Prix from 2026 onwards. The official FIA awards ceremony will take place in the Rwandan capital on Friday.
“I am pleased to officially announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa with its own Formula 1 race,” said the president. “I would like to thank Formula 1 Chairman Stefano Domenicali and his team for the productive discussions we have had so far. Rwanda will approach this opportunity with the necessary seriousness and dedication.”
A new circuit is being developed south of Kigali, near Bugesera Airport. Former Formula 1 driver and Chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, Alex Wurz, is responsible for the design. In recent months, discussions have already taken place between Formula 1 and representatives of Rwanda. “We are aligned in our values in the areas of innovation, sustainability, and road safety, and I look forward to our continued collaboration,” responded FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “The future of motorsport in Africa is bright.
‘We Cannot Ignore Africa’
Lewis Hamilton stated during the race weekend in Zandvoort that Africa deserves a place on the calendar to truly speak of a world championship. “We cannot continue to ignore Africa while adding races in other locations to the calendar,” he declared to the media. “The rest of the world takes a lot from Africa, but nobody ever gives anything.”
In the run-up to the GP of São Paulo, Max Verstappen was also asked about a possible race in Africa. “I would love to have a race on every continent,” responded the Dutchman. “So it would be great if we could also race in Africa.” In addition to Rwanda, South Africa has also been working on a return to the world championship for some time. The historic Kyalami circuit near Johannesburg last appeared on the calendar in 1993.
