Rwanda makes Method 1 bid: Has Africa ever hosted F1 race? Can Kigali win the bid?

Crimson Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was ordered by Method 1’s governing physique FIA to assist out with a grassroots program in Rwanda as penalty for swearing at a information convention in Singapore earlier in the course of the 2024 season. By the way, it was additionally in Rwanda the place the Dutchman collected his trophy after successful the F1 drivers’ title for the fourth consecutive season.

With Verstappen being handed the winner’s trophy at an FIA occasion within the capital metropolis of Kigali, Rwandan president Paul Kagame used the chance to make a serious announcement – launching the nation’s bid to host an F1 race.

“I’m comfortable to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to carry the fun of racing again to Africa by internet hosting a Method One Grand Prix,” Kagame mentioned in a gap tackle to the governing FIA’s Common Meeting.

“An enormous thanks to (Method One chief government) Stefano (Domenicali) and all the staff at F1, for the nice progress in our discussions thus far.

“I guarantee you that we’re approaching this chance with the seriousness and dedication which it deserves. Collectively we’ll construct one thing we are able to all be pleased with.”

Has Africa hosted an F1 race previously?

If their bid seems to achieve success, Rwanda won’t be the primary African nation internet hosting an F1 race. South Africa had hosted 33 F1 races between 1934 and 1993 – having taken place constantly every year between 1965 and 1985. The race had been hosted initially on the Prince George Circuit in East London between 1934 and 1966, earlier than transferring to the Kyalami Circuit in Midrand close to Johannesburg.

The South African Grand Prix was almost included within the 2024 season, which might have marked the return of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ to the F1 calendar after 31 years. Nevertheless, the FIA ultimately referred to as it off as a result of South African authorities’s stance on Russia’ invasion of Ukraine.

Will Rwanda host an F1 race sooner or later?

Rwanda’s planning to construct an F1 circuit, to be designed by an organization run by former Austrian F1 racer Alexander Wurz, near the Bugesera Airport on the outskirts of the capital metropolis of Kigali, if their bid is seems to achieve success.

Wurz, who additionally occurs to be the chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation, has reportedly been engaged on the observe for greater than a 12 months and can be designing the Qiddiyah observe in Saudi Arabia, which is anticipated to start internet hosting races from 2029.

Regardless of not being confirmed, Rwanda now seems the more than likely vacation spot for F1’s return to Africa. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for one felt that the way forward for motorsport within the continent was “vivid”.

“To be right here in Rwanda for such an necessary second within the FIA’s calendar is a testomony to the power of this nation, specifically its rising affect in motorsport,” mentioned Ben Sulayem.

“We’re aligned on our values and shared objectives throughout key sectors corresponding to innovation, sustainability, and highway security, and I look ahead to our continued partnership. The way forward for motorsport in Africa is vivid.”

Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who parted methods with Mercedes on the finish of the 2024 season and is about to affix Ferrari subsequent 12 months, too voiced his help for an F1 race in Africa.

“The time’s 100% proper. We are able to’t be including races in different areas and proceed to disregard Africa, which the remainder of the world simply takes from. Nobody offers something to Africa,” mentioned the Briton.

“I believe having a Grand Prix there’ll actually have the ability to spotlight simply how nice the place is and usher in tourism and all kinds of issues. Why are we not on that continent?”