{
  "id": 14177382,
  "title": "F1 to return to Africa for first time since 1993 in Rwanda",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/f1-to-return-to-africa-for-first-time-since-1993-in-rwanda",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-13T10:42:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/10/1554616/f1-return-africa-first-time-1993-rwanda"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Formula One is making its first return to Africa since 1993 with a new agreement to host the African Grand Prix in Rwanda, according to a statement released on Monday. The long-term deal includes a 10-year agreement, with the first race in Rwanda expected once construction of a new circuit in Bugesera is complete, likely in the early 2030s. The circuit's design aims to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, utilizing elevation changes for a distinctive and demanding racing experience while offering excellent viewing opportunities for fans. This marks a significant milestone for Formula One, as F1 president Stefano Domenicali emphasized, stating that with Rwanda joining the calendar, the sport will race on every inhabited continent, bringing the World Championship closer to fans worldwide. Rwandan President Paul Kagame expressed Rwanda's pride in hosting the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, highlighting the opportunity to engage more than 100 million fans across Africa, many of them young people who aspire to see the sport at home and aspire to be engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, or even drivers in the future. The decision to host the race in Rwanda has faced criticism from rights groups, who accuse the country, led by long-time president Kagame, of sportswashing – using sports events to enhance its international image.",
  "summary": "BERLIN: Formula One is returning to Africa for the first time since 1993 with a 10-year agreement to host the African Grand Prix in Rwanda, it said in a statement on Monday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 12,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Rwanda to host F1’s first race in Africa since 1993",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/rwanda-to-host-f1s-first-race-in-africa-since-1993-14182479",
        "published": "2026-10-13T08:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Rwanda to host F1's first race in Africa since 1993",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/rwanda-to-host-f1s-first-race-in-africa-since-1993",
        "published": "2026-10-13T09:20:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Motorsport.com",
        "title": "F1 signs historic 10-year Rwanda deal to host African Grand Prix",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/f1-signs-historic-10-year-rwanda-deal-to-host-african-grand-prix-14166365",
        "published": "2026-10-13T09:20:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "F1 signs historic 10-year Rwanda deal to host African Grand Prix",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/f1-signs-historic-10-year-rwanda-deal-to-host-african-grand-prix",
        "published": "2026-10-13T09:20:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Formula 1 announces return to Africa with grand prix in Rwanda in early 2030s",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/formula-1-announces-return-to-africa-with-grand-prix-in-rwanda-in",
        "published": "2026-10-13T09:24:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Rwanda to host F1 race from early 2030s in 10-year deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/rwanda-to-host-f1-race-from-early-2030s-in-10-year-deal-14180613",
        "published": "2026-10-13T09:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "BREAKING: F1 Returns to Africa with Historic 10-Year Deal for Rwandan Grand Prix",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/breaking-f1-returns-to-africa-with-historic-10-year-deal-for-rwandan",
        "published": "2026-10-13T10:10:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "Rwanda to host F1’s first race in Africa since 1993",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/rwanda-to-host-f1s-first-race-in-africa-since-1993-14175225",
        "published": "2026-10-13T10:24:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Formula 1 announces return to Africa with grand prix in Rwanda in early 2030s",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/formula-1-announces-return-to-africa-with-grand-prix-in-rwanda-in-14182428",
        "published": "2026-10-13T10:39:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Rwanda wins race for F1 as Africa returns to Grand Prix calendar after 37 years [VIDEO]",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/rwanda-wins-race-for-f1-as-africa-returns-to-grand-prix-calendar",
        "published": "2026-10-13T10:51:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Formula 1 announces return to Africa with Grand Prix in Rwanda in early 2030s",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/formula-1-announces-return-to-africa-with-grand-prix-in-rwanda-in-14191428",
        "published": "2026-10-13T11:57:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}