Formula 1 could soon return to the African continent, with Rwanda making a serious bid to host a Grand Prix. F1 leaders have scheduled talks with representatives of Rwanda for next September, a meeting that could mark an important step towards the expansion of the championship calendar which would return to Africa after its last appearance in 1993.
Rwanda aims to host an F1 GP: a promising project
Rwanda appears to have a well-structured plan to bring F1 to Africa. This interest was expressed with a series of preparatory meetings, including a visit by representatives of the Rwanda Development Board to the Monaco Grand Prix. In December, Kigali will host the FIA Annual General Assembly and Awards Ceremony, a sign of the the country's growing commitment to the world of motor racing.
During an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, the CEO of F1, Stefano Domenicali, confirmed that a meeting has been organized with Rwanda to discuss the project. “They are serious,” declared Domenicali. “They have presented a good plan and we actually have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent circuit." This shows that Rwanda is not just making a proposal, but is actually planning to build a circuit up to Formula 1 standards.
Africa's past in Formula 1
The last Formula 1 race in Africa was held in 1993, at the famous Kyalami circuit in South Africa. Since, the continent has remained off the F1 calendar, despite various attempts to bring a race back to Africa. In recent years, Kyalami has been at the center of much discussion regarding a possible return of F1 to South Africa. F1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali has held several meetings with circuit officials and other stakeholders in the South African GP to relaunch the event. However, Various obstacles, including political and logistical issues, have so far prevented the realization of this project.
At the same time, the delay in plans for a race in Kyalami favored the stay of Spa-Francorchamps in the calendar.
Domenicali and the growth of F1: “Until 2020 we didn't have many requests”
Domenicali underlined the importance of having a race in Africa to confirm F1's world championship status. “We want to go to Africa, but we must have the right investment and the right strategic plan,” he explained. “We have to have the right moment, and we have to make sure that also in that country, in that region, on that continent, there is the right welcome, because, of course, they have other priorities. We must always be very careful to make the right choices.”
The F1 CEO also spoke about the changing perspective of F1 in recent years. “Until 2020 we were in a situation where the number of places that wanted to host F1 was not that large. Now we're on the other side. There are so many places in the world that want to host F1 which allows us to ensure we work together with all of them to grow the experience.” Domenicali added that with 24 races on the calendar, F1 is carefully evaluating options for the medium-term future.
Lewis Hamilton's support
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has repeatedly expressed his desire to see an F1 race in Africa. Hamilton he had teased F1 by underlining that there are already many races in the United States, and that the presence of other stages is missing, especially Africa. “There is another race we need and that will be Africa. We have all the other continents and why not there?” Hamilton said.
Hamilton's desire to see a race in Africa is shared by Domenicali, who recognized the importance of expanding F1 into new markets to maintain and grow its world championship status.
Rwanda therefore seems to be in pole position to bring F1 to Africa, with a serious and well-structured project that could be realized in the coming years. If the September talks are successful, we could soon see the return of F1 to the African continent, marking a new chapter in the history of global motorsport.
Source: Motorsport.com
