F1 confirms 10-year deal for African Grand Prix held in Rwanda from ‘early 2030s’
Formula One has announced a 10-year agreement to bring the sport back to Africa, with Rwanda set to host the African Grand Prix from the early 2030s. The agreement sees the sport head back to the continent for the first time since 1993, when the South African Grand Prix left the calendar. Racing will take place at a new circuit in Bugesera, which is expected to be completed early in the next…
Formula One (F1) has inked a ten-year deal to stage the African Grand Prix in Rwanda, commencing from the early 2030s. This marks the sport's return to the continent for the first time since 1993, when South Africa's Grand Prix exited the calendar. The race will be held at a new circuit in Bugesera, situated around 40 kilometers south of Kigali, which is expected to conclude construction early in the upcoming decade.
The circuit will meet FIA Grade 1 standards as part of an expansive sports, tourism, infrastructure, and commercial development initiative spearheaded by the Rwanda Development Board.
Stefano Domenicali, F1's president and CEO, emphasized the significance of the agreement, stating, "Today is a landmark moment for Formula One. With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent, bringing the World Championship closer than ever to fans around the globe." Africa has long been envisioned as a part of Formula One's future, and the decision to return with a long-term commitment and clear vision aims to create meaningful impact.
Lewis Hamilton, a Ferrari champion advocating for an African F1 race, expressed his support for the initiative. "I’ve always said that we need to have a Grand Prix in Africa. It is, for me, the most important continent, to be honest, and the most beautiful continent," Hamilton stated. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame echoed the sentiment, saying, "Today belongs to Africa.
For more than three decades, the world’s premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent, and that changes with this agreement. Rwanda is proud to host the Formula One African Grand Prix, and to share this moment with more than 100 million fans across Africa." FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem added, "The return of the FIA Formula One World Championship to Africa is a historic moment for our sport and an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport."
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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