{"id":3938,"date":"2026-10-13T07:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T10:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=3938"},"modified":"2026-10-13T07:18:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T10:18:07","slug":"f1-confirms-rwanda-grand-prix-in-historic-10-year-deal-to-return-to-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/f1-confirms-rwanda-grand-prix-in-historic-10-year-deal-to-return-to-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 confirms Rwanda Grand Prix in historic 10-year deal to return to Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Formula 1 has confirmed a ten-year agreement with Rwanda<\/strong> to stage the African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The first race is expected in the <strong>early 2030s<\/strong>, at a new circuit in Bugesera, approximately 40km south of Kigali.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The championship will return to Africa for the first time since the <strong>1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami<\/strong>, although the inaugural race date has not yet been announced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 has officially confirmed its return to Africa, announcing a <strong>ten-year agreement to stage the African Grand Prix in Rwanda from the early 2030s<\/strong>, with a new permanent circuit to be constructed near the country&#8217;s capital, Kigali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The historic announcement was made on Tuesday, October 13, in Kigali, with Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Rwandan president Paul Kagame participating in the confirmation of the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race will be known as the <strong>Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda<\/strong>, and will mark the championship&#8217;s first event on the continent since the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1993.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The deal follows years of discussions about restoring Africa to the Formula 1 calendar, with Rwanda emerging ahead of competing proposals from South Africa and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/rwanda-closes-in-on-deal-to-host-f1-grand-prix-from-2030\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/rwanda-closes-in-on-deal-to-host-f1-grand-prix-from-2030\/\">reported on October 6, Rwanda had already emerged as the leading candidate to host Formula 1 from 2030<\/a>, although the championship had not confirmed an agreement at that stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuesday&#8217;s announcement formally establishes the long-term partnership, but the precise year of the inaugural race remains subject to the completion of the new circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where will the Rwanda F1 Grand Prix take place?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The African Grand Prix will be held at a <strong>new purpose-built permanent circuit in Bugesera<\/strong>, approximately 40 kilometres south of Kigali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The venue will be located near the new Bugesera International Airport, part of a major infrastructure development project intended to improve Rwanda&#8217;s international connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The circuit will be developed to meet the FIA&#8217;s Grade 1 safety and technical requirements, necessary for hosting Formula 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz is involved in the design project through WurzDesign, which is working on the proposed layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike South Africa&#8217;s efforts to revive the existing Kyalami circuit, Rwanda&#8217;s project requires the construction of an entirely new racing facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The organisers have not yet announced the final circuit layout, length, number of corners or detailed construction timetable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When will Formula 1 race in Rwanda?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Formula 1 expects the first African Grand Prix in Rwanda to take place in the early 2030s<\/strong>, once construction and certification of the Bugesera circuit have been completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although previous reports identified 2030 as the target season, the official announcement does not establish a definitive inaugural year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The championship said that additional information about the race date, circuit construction milestones and event plans will be announced later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ten-year agreement will cover the initial period of the African Grand Prix, although the precise seasons included will depend on when the inaugural race takes place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rwanda is therefore not yet part of the confirmed 2027 Formula 1 calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Domenicali welcomes Formula 1&#8217;s return to Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali described the agreement as an important moment in the championship&#8217;s international expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Africa has always been part of Formula 1&#8217;s future, and from the beginning we were determined to return in the right way, with the right partner, a long-term commitment and a clear vision for creating meaningful impact,&#8221; Domenicali said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Formula 1 chief emphasised the importance of establishing a sustainable project rather than simply adding another race to the calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The championship estimates that Africa has more than <strong>100 million Formula 1 fans<\/strong>, making the continent an important potential market for its future growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The agreement also means Formula 1 is planning to compete on every inhabited continent once the Rwanda Grand Prix begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rwanda president Paul Kagame celebrates agreement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rwandan president Paul Kagame welcomed the announcement, describing it as a historic achievement for the country and the wider African continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Today belongs to Africa. For more than three decades, the world&#8217;s premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent,&#8221; Kagame said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Rwanda is proud to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, and to share this moment with more than 100 million fans across Africa.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rwandan government has promoted the project as part of a wider strategy to attract international sporting events, tourism and investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kigali previously hosted the FIA&#8217;s annual General Assemblies and Prize Giving Ceremony in December 2024, when Kagame publicly confirmed Rwanda&#8217;s intention to pursue a Formula 1 race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The country has also expanded its international sporting profile through partnerships and the organisation of major events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FIA confirms support for new African Grand Prix<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem welcomed the agreement and highlighted its potential impact on motorsport development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This is an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport,&#8221; Ben Sulayem said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Rwanda has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering a world-class event.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FIA president also pointed to the opportunity to develop motorsport participation, technical expertise and new pathways for young competitors across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The construction of the circuit will require the necessary FIA inspections and homologation before the venue can host a Formula 1 Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lewis Hamilton&#8217;s campaign for an African F1 race<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The confirmation follows years of public support from <strong>seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton<\/strong>, who has repeatedly called for Formula 1 to return to Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hamilton has argued that the continent should be represented on the championship calendar and has encouraged Formula 1 management to pursue an agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver reiterated his support for an African race, describing the continent as particularly important to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also praised Domenicali&#8217;s efforts to negotiate with potential host countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement will therefore fulfil one of Hamilton&#8217;s longstanding ambitions for Formula 1, although it remains uncertain whether he will still be competing when the inaugural Rwanda Grand Prix takes place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Formula 1 has not raced in Africa since 1993<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 last competed in Africa at the <strong>1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami<\/strong>, won by Alain Prost for Williams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">South Africa previously hosted several Formula 1 races, including events during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, before the championship&#8217;s final visit in 1993.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morocco also hosted a world championship Grand Prix in 1958, at the Ain-Diab circuit in Casablanca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rwanda will therefore become the <strong>third African country to host a Formula 1 World Championship race<\/strong>, following Morocco and South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">South African authorities have continued working on plans to bring Formula 1 back to Kyalami, but Rwanda&#8217;s confirmed agreement gives the country a major advantage in securing the championship&#8217;s return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new African Grand Prix is expected to join the calendar during the early 2030s, with Formula 1 and the organisers set to announce further details about the Bugesera circuit and the inaugural race date as the project progresses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Formula 1 has officially signed a ten-year agreement to stage the African Grand Prix in Rwanda from the early 2030s, ending the continent&#8217;s absence from the championship since 1993. A new purpose-built circuit will be constructed near Kigali.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020318210,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"F1 Rwanda GP confirmed","42wp_featured_image_credits":"F1","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":13,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[819,63,754,154],"42wp_author":[13],"class_list":["post-3938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-kigali","tag-lewis-hamilton","tag-rwanda-gp","tag-stefano-domenicali","42wp_author-luana-marino"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3938"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3939,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3938\/revisions\/3939"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020318210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3938"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=3938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}