Revealed: When Rwanda could host Formula One Grand Prix

The 2023 Formula One Grand Prix will rave of in Bahrain this weekend | Courtesy Photo

Revealed: When Rwanda could host Formula One Grand Prix

Joel Omotto 23:17 - 24.08.2024

Rwanda is among countries being considered to host a Formula One race and it appears it won’t be long before Africa witnesses Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Co.

Rwanda could potentially host a Formula One Grand Prix in 2028 if all goes to plan.

According to Sky Sports, Rwanda and Thailand are being considered as future locations to host a Formula One Grand Prix as Zandvoort, the Dutch Grand Prix, could potentially begin alternating as hosts yearly with another location, with 2028 seen as the most likely time.

It is good news for Rwanda who on Thursday received a major endorsement from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton who said “time was right for a Formula One race in Africa” and that he was working behind-the-scenes with Rwanda and South Africa to make it happen.

"The time's 100% right. We can't be adding races in other locations and continue to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa," Hamilton, who visited Africa recently, said as quoted by Reuters.

"I think having a Grand Prix there will really be able to highlight just how great the place is and bring in tourism and all sorts of things. Why are we not on that continent?

"There is at least one track that's ready. In the short term, we should just get on that track and have that part of the calendar, and then work on building out something really cool."

Africa last hosted a Formula One race at South Africa's Kyalami circuit in 1993 but financial issues have made it impossible to return to the continent.

Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali revealed this month that Rwanda wanted to host a race at a permanent circuit, yet to be built, and there would be further discussions in September and Hamilton also said he would be speaking with the sport’s supremo over the issue.

"Rwanda is one of my favourite places I've been to actually. I've been doing a lot of work in the background on it," added the Mercedes driver.

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