F1 to Return to Africa with Rwanda Hosting Grand Prix from Early 2030s
· Sports · BBC Sport, Bloomberg, Car and Driver
Formula 1 will return to Africa after nearly 40 years with a new race in Rwanda, hosted at a circuit under construction in Bugesera, 25 miles south of Kigali. The 10-year deal, signed by Rwanda and F1's owners Liberty Media, is set to begin in the early 2030s and concludes nearly a decade of effort to bring the sport to the continent. Rwanda succeeded where Morocco and South Africa failed due to its unified plan and secured financial backing, while other nations faced funding issues or fragmented proposals. The circuit is part of a larger development near a new international airport, including entertainment, residential, hotel, and sports science facilities. F1 President Stefano Domenicali called the deal a 'landmark' achievement, praising Rwanda's vision and resilience despite accusations of sportswashing. The race will be held under Domenicali's leadership, with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem present at the announcement in Kigali.
Why it matters
This marks the first F1 race in Africa since the 1980s, returning the sport to a continent it has long been absent from. It provides Rwanda with a global platform to showcase its development, though it also draws attention to ongoing debates about sportswashing in nations with complex political histories.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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