Formula One’s push for African return – Formula One has long expressed its desire to return to the continent, a move that would mark the first Grand Prix on African soil since the South African Grand Prix was last staged in 1993. While many expected motorsport to focus on South Africa’s Kyalami circuit, a new contender has emerged: Rwanda.
The East African nation has been in talks with Formula One officials about the possibility of hosting a Grand Prix, with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame openly supporting the idea. However, the potential race has raised political tensions in the region, particularly with Rwanda’s neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
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Diplomatic tensions: DRC opposes Rwanda’s bid
Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has voiced her strong opposition to plans for a Grand Prix in Rwanda. In an official letter to Formula One, Wagner expressed her “concern” about the negotiations, citing ongoing geopolitical instability in the region and Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.
“Rwanda, in collaboration with its proxy group M23, is currently occupying a large part of eastern DRC and has displaced over 700,000 Congolese citizens,” Wagner said in her release.
Her concerns extend beyond politics, as she sees a potential race in Rwanda as a reputational risk for Formula One.
“Does F1 really want to tarnish its reputation with a bloody connection to Rwanda?” Wagner asked. “While I welcome Formula One’s desire to host a Grand Prix in Africa, I question whether Rwanda is really the best choice to represent our continent.”
The Congolese foreign minister went a step further, calling on F1 to reconsider its plans altogether. “Stop the negotiations and exclude Rwanda as a possible venue,” she demanded.
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Formula 1 reacts cautiously
Despite the strong opposition from the DRC, Formula One has made no definitive statement about abandoning its Rwanda bid. Instead, the organisation issued a measured response, acknowledging the concerns but stopping short of making any commitments.
“We are closely monitoring developments in the DRC and Rwanda and will continue to do so,” a Formula One spokesman said in a statement.
The organisation stressed that its decision-making process is comprehensive and takes many factors into account before a new venue is finalised.
“There continue to be requests from various regions of the world to host Formula One races,” the statement continued.
“We carefully consider each potential request and future decisions will be based on full information as well as the best interests of our sport and our values.”
This response suggests that F1 remains interested in Rwanda, while also keeping a close eye on the political situation in the region.
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Security concerns
One of the main concerns surrounding the potential Rwanda Grand Prix is the ongoing conflict and security situation in the region. The German Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for the DRC, urging German citizens to leave certain provinces due to heightened instability.
For Rwanda itself, the warning is less severe, but still warns against travelling “to the northern border region with the Democratic Republic of Congo”. The advisory states that travellers should be ‘particularly vigilant and cautious’, noting that security conditions along the border have ‘further deteriorated’.
These warnings raise questions about Rwanda’s suitability as a venue for a global sporting event such as Formula One, which requires a high level of infrastructure, security and stability to ensure the safety of drivers, teams and fans.
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Rwanda’s motorsport ambitions
Despite the criticism, Rwanda is actively positioning itself as a motorsport-friendly nation. In December 2024, the capital city of Kigali hosted the FIA Gala, an annual event that celebrates champions from various FIA-sanctioned championships, including Formula 1. The event was attended by senior figures including FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
President Paul Kagame himself sat in the front row at the gala, signalling his strong commitment to bringing top-level motorsport to Rwanda. During the event, Kagame thanked Domenicali and his team for what he described as “good progress in the talks so far”.
“We are approaching this opportunity with the appropriate seriousness and determination,” Kagame said, indicating that Rwanda is fully committed to making its Formula One dream a reality.
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The wider political landscape
The bid for a Rwandan Grand Prix comes against a backdrop of deteriorating diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the end of January 2025, tensions escalated further when the DRC officially severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda.
The conflict between the two nations centres largely on the M23 rebel group, which the DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting. Rwanda has denied the allegations, but the deteriorating relationship between the two countries has raised concerns about the stability of the region.
Both Kagame and his Congolese counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi, have been accused of running their respective countries in an increasingly authoritarian manner. This has led to questions about whether Rwanda, under Kagame’s leadership, is in line with the values Formula One seeks to promote.
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South Africa: A viable alternative?
While controversy swirls around Rwanda’s bid, South Africa has also emerged as a strong contender to host Formula One’s return to Africa.
The South African government recently launched a bidding process for a potential Grand Prix, with Kyalami – once a fixture on the F1 calendar – seen as the most likely venue. Kyalami last hosted an F1 race in 1993 and there has been interest in reviving the event for years.
Unlike Rwanda, South Africa offers an established circuit with existing infrastructure, a strong motorsport history and fewer geopolitical concerns. Many in the F1 community, including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, have openly advocated a return to South Africa over other African venues.
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What comes next?
The future of F1’s expansion into Africa remains uncertain. While Rwanda appears determined to secure a Grand Prix, strong opposition from the Democratic Republic of Congo and concerns about regional instability could complicate its bid.
Formula One has yet to make any formal announcements regarding a final decision, and with South Africa also in the mix, the organisation may have to weigh both options carefully.
For now, the controversy surrounding Rwanda’s bid continues to grow and the pressure is on for F1 to make a decision that balances its commercial ambitions with ethical considerations.
Will F1 risk a political backlash by going ahead with Rwanda? Or will it turn to the more traditional and politically stable option of South Africa? The coming months will determine whether Africa will get its first Grand Prix in more than three decades – and where it will be held.
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