The Grand Prix, whose official name will be the African Grand Prix presented by Visit Rwanda, will end an absence of nearly forty years of Formula 1 on the African continent, the last event being held there being the South African Grand Prix in 1993.
The return of the African continent to the calendar took several years to materialize, with the Kyalami circuit initially positioning itself to host a Grand Prix, having previously hosted one twenty times. Ultimately, the first-ever African Grand Prix will take place in Rwanda, on a circuit designed by Hermann Tilke in Bugesera. The circuit will be located 40 kilometers south of the capital, Kigali, and, crucially, next to Kigali’s new international airport.
“Today marks a historic turning point for Formula 1 ,” said Stefano Domenicali, President of FOM. “With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will be present on every inhabited continent, bringing the World Championship closer than ever to fans around the globe. Africa has always been part of the future of Formula 1, and from the outset, we were determined to return in the right way, with the right partner, a long-term commitment, and a clear vision to create a significant impact. I would like to thank His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, the Rwandan government, the Rwanda Development Board, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and everyone whose dedication and collaboration have made this possible.”
The return of Formula 1 to Africa has been called for for several years, notably by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton . This will now become a reality.