Formula 1 is set to return to the African continent after nearly four decades, as Rwanda becomes the venue for a brand-new Grand Prix circuit.
The sport last raced in Africa at Kyalami during the 1993 season. Since then, a return of the African GP has become a highly requested addition to the calendar.
Seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been the biggest proponent of returning to Africa, and it would appear that concrete plans for it to happen are now in place.
As per RacingNews365, an agreement has been reached between the necessary parties to host an F1 race near the Rwandan capital city of Kigali.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been vocal about his vision to see the sport return to African soil, and his efforts saw the FIA host its FIA General Assemblies and Prize Giving Ceremony in Kigali back in 2024.
It was then that Kagame had announced Rwanda’s formal bid to host an F1 GP.
That said, the erstwhile venue of the South African GP, Kyalami, is currently the only circuit that can even contemplate a return for F1. And with no F1-compatible track in Rwanda, it is being suggested that a brand-new, state-of-the-art permanent racing circuit is in the works.
Reports suggest that the track will be located in proximity to Kigali, near Bugesera International Airport. Former F1 driver and circuit designer Alex Wurz is reported to be working on the track design and layout.
An announcement to this effect is expected to be communicated by F1 soon, and potentially before the end of the year.
As things stand, the African GP is slated to return to the sport’s official calendar no earlier than 2030.
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