Formula 1 returns to Africa with ten-year Rwanda deal
A Grand Prix is set to be held in Africa for the first time since 1993. A new circuit will be built in Bugesera near Kigali, with the first race planned for the early 2030s.
Symbolic image · Photo: Dr Antoine R. Gasasira / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Formula 1 announced a ten-year agreement with Rwanda on Tuesday. The event will be called the African Grand Prix and held at a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, about 40 km south of the capital Kigali and next to the new international airport. There is no fixed date yet: according to F1, the first race will follow completion of the venue, which is expected early in the next decade.
According to Motorsport-Total.com, the circuit is being designed by Tilke, with former F1 driver Alexander Wurz's company WurzDesign also involved. The venue is meant to be used all year round as an events centre. The last world championship race in Africa was held at Kyalami in South Africa in 1993.
"Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1," said F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame said: "Today belongs to Africa." FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called it "a historic moment for our sport".