Stefano Domenicali, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Formula One (F1), has revealed that Rwanda is a “serious” option to host a Grand Prix in the near future. This announcement comes as Formula One seeks to capitalise on its recent boom in popularity around the world through the expansion of its calendar.
The return of Formula One to the African continent has long been a key target of Formula One. Currently, Africa is the only continent, with permanent human habitation, in which the motorsport series does not compete. Formula One had previously been considered a return to Kyalami Circuit which had previously hosted the South African Grand Prix, most recently in 1993. However, these plans were eventually abandoned, due to concerns about sustainability, as well as the country’s political alignment with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Following this, Rwanda emerged as the new front-runner to host the next African Grand Prix, with its president Paul Kagame reportedly meeting with Domenicali to discuss the possibility of Rwanda hosting a future Formula One Grand Prix.
Speaking with Motorsport.com, Domenicali stated that Rwanda was serious about hosting a Grand Prix in the country and had presented a “good plan” which included their intention to host the race on a permanent circuit. The Formula One CEO also revealed that talks had been scheduled with Rwanda to discuss the project further.
Domenicali said, “[Rwanda] are serious. They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September [2024]. It will be on a permanent track.”
This announcement comes only months after it was reported that representatives of the Rwanda Development Board had travelled to Monaco, for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, to meet with the FIA. The country will also host the FIA’s annual general assembly and prize-giving ceremony in Kigali, its capital, at the end of the season.
In his interview, Domenicali reiterated Formula One’s interest in returning to Africa, but emphasised the need for proper investment and a good strategic plan, especially as the country’s “other priorities” could affect the outcome of a bid.
“We want to go to Africa, but we need to have the right investment and the right strategic plan.”
“We need to have the right moment, and we need to make sure that also in that country, in that region, in that continent, there is the right welcoming, because, of course, they have other priorities. We need to be always very careful in making the right choices.”
Domenicali spoke further about the recent expansion of the Formula One calendar and the organisation’s plans for the future of the sport. He acknowledged that, before 2020, the development of the race calendar had been limited due to a lack of interest in the sport which had inhibited its growth.
He said, “Up until 2020, we were in a situation where the number of places that wanted to host F1 were not so numerous. Therefore, we were not able to apply what I would say was a constructive pressure to grow what we can offer to our customers and to our fans.”
“Now, we are on the other side,” Domenicali identified, acknowledging the recent, rapid growth in the popularity and consumption of Formula One around the world.
He added that this increased interest had increased the number of countries interested in hosting Formula One and stated that the organisation was working with all interested parties to “grow the experience” of the sport.
“We have so many places around the world that want to host F1 that it allows us to make sure that we are working together with all of them to grow the experience.”
Regarding the number of races per season, Domenicali indicated that he saw 24 races as being “stable” but stated that discussions would continue to determine the races that would be best suited for the future of the sport.
“With 24 races, I see that there’s a number that will be stable, and we can really tune the ones that we are discussing to see what will be the future in the middle term.”
He added that while he did not see any major changes for the 2025 season, with the calendar having already been announced, Formula One would need to consider its options before confirming the calendar for the 2026 season onward.
“I don’t see big changes coming in the short term, but in the next couple of months, we need to discuss what will be ’26, ’27 and ’28. We have different options, but we are in a good place.”
