F1 hopes of return to Africa take shape with fresh Rwanda Government update

10:58, 18 Dec

bySamson Ero

Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, has offered a crucial update on the possibility of Formula 1 being hosted in Africa.

“We’re in the race to possibly hold a Formula One event here in 2029.”

- Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board,

The Rwanda Development Board chief stated that talks of having a race on the African continent are progressing, outlining the ambitious plans in the works to bring a Grand Prix to fruition.

“We’re in the race to possibly hold a Formula One event here in 2029. We actually want to use the airport as an opportunity to practically develop an entirely new city,” Jean-Guy Afrika told The Athletics.

He continued by highlighting how the East African nation is factoring in fans and ideal recreational facilities in its development.

Formula 1 recently annoucned the return of the Portimao Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

“So F1, the racetrack that we would have to build, the whole idea of the recreational facilities, because in F1 people come mostly for entertainment. It is one week. So the airport will be developed, and the negotiations with F1 will include bringing the racetrack.”

Quizzed further about the prospect of hosting junior series, including Formula 2 and Formula 3, the Rwandan government executive added:

“F1 as a whole is a sport of great interest for us, even beyond bringing the racetrack, in terms of what we could do in the future, because it’s the sport of global CEOs, tech entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and it is far more targeted. Watch this space because there may be some nice surprises in the near future.”

The buzz of Formula 1 returning to Africa has been on the rise in recent years, with the sport not having raced on the African continent since 1993 in Kyalami, South Africa. Several stakeholders, including Lewis Hamilton, have continued to push for a return of F1 to the continent.

Is Nigeria in the race to host an F1 Grand Prix?

With the influx of new races on the F1 calendar, reports of Nigeria vying for a place to host a Grand Prix in Africa have also emerged.

The report highlighted that the West African nation, through its National Sports Commission, is aiming to host the race on the streets of its capital city, Abuja.