Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian
It’s been over three decades since Africa last hosted a Formula 1 race, and fans are growing increasingly impatient. The prestigious racing series, comprising 24 races across multiple continents, has continued to bypass Africa, leaving a significant gap in the sport’s global reach. While regions like North America, Europe, and the Middle East have welcomed multiple races, Africa has been left on the sidelines, despite its rich motorsport history.
In recent years, the Middle East, with its vast oil wealth, has seen a surge in races, with nine events held in Asia, eight in Europe, five in North America, and a single race each in South America and Australia. The absence of a deep-rooted motorsport heritage in the Middle East has led critics, including Lewis Hamilton, to question the financial motivations behind the sport’s expansion, particularly when Africa, a continent with a rich racing legacy, is left out.
Rwanda Poised to Host F1 Race?
The last Formula 1 race on African soil took place in 1993 at Kyalami, with legendary drivers like Ferrari’s Alain Prost and McLaren’s Ayrton Senna thrilling fans. Prost narrowly defeated Senna to claim victory in the final race, but South Africa’s inability to secure the necessary funds led to the sport’s departure. Since then, the dream of bringing Formula 1 back to Africa has lingered, with South Africa actively pushing for a return.
However, Rwanda is emerging as a strong contender to host the event. Just after the 2024 Formula 1 season concluded in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, Rwanda was chosen to host the prestigious end-of-season awards ceremony, highlighting its growing relationship with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. This announcement raised speculation that Rwanda may be in line to secure the hosting rights, surpassing South Africa in the race for the grand prize.
Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, has confirmed the country’s bid to bring Formula 1 back to Africa. He expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa by hosting a Formula 1 grand prix. A big thank you to Stefano Domenicali and the entire team at Formula 1 for the good progress in our discussions so far. I assure you that we are approaching this opportunity with the seriousness and commitment it deserves. Together, we will build something we can all be proud of.”
Rwanda’s recent investments in sports infrastructure, including the BK Arena, which hosted the NBA Basketball Africa League finals, and the newly renovated Amphora Stadium, showcase the country’s readiness for a major international sporting event. Kagame emphasized that Rwanda’s approach to sports is holistic, focusing on creating an ecosystem that nurtures talent and engages fans. “For every hotel, recreation facility, or restaurant that gets built, new jobs are created. Rwanda is ready, and we want to welcome even more fans and visitors while aiming for the highest quality standard in everything we do.”
Rwanda’s bid signals a new chapter for African motorsport, as the country seeks to establish itself as a major player on the global sporting stage. With both the government and Formula 1 working towards this goal, the dream of an African Grand Prix may soon become a reality.
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