As Crash.net reports, Formula 1 has officially locked in a return to the continent of Africa with a massive 10-year agreement with Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix. This is a genuinely massive moment for the sport. We are talking about Formula 1's first time racing on African soil since 1993, when Kyalami hosted the South African Grand Prix.
The announcement arrived on the 13th of October, bringing an end to a glaring geographic absence in what is supposed to be a truly global championship. Stefano Domenicali, the Italian who is president and chief executive of Formula 1, did not mince words about the magnitude of the news during the press conference. He called it simply 'one of the most significant days in the history of Formula 1.'
That press conference brought together some serious figures, attended by none other than Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, alongside the president of the FIA, Ben Sulayem, and Domenicali himself. Domenicali made sure to single out President Kagame for turning ambition into reality, praising his leadership and vision for making this historic milestone happen for Rwanda and the sport.
Domenicali also expressed gratitude toward FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, highlighting their united commitment to bringing the championship back to Africa, a journey that included hosting the WMSC last year in Kigali. For too long, Domenicali noted, Africa and its limitless potential remained missing from the F1 calendar. But they waited for the right partner and the right vision, and they found it in Rwanda.
Now, a brand-new chapter begins in a 76-year history. Domenicali added that drivers, teams, partners, and fans are already incredibly excited and simply cannot wait to race in Rwanda.
