Next month, leaders of Formula 1 have scheduled talks with representatives from Rwanda, an African nation vying to advance its intentions to host grand prix. It’s obvious that holding a race in Africa is a top priority as Formula One looks to expand its calendar in the future to capitalize on the surge in global interest in the sport.
Although several nations in the area have indicated their interest in hosting Formula One races, it is believed that Rwanda has sufficiently advanced its plans to warrant further substantive talks. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com that a meeting with Rwanda had been arranged to discuss the idea, and he said that it looks very good and promising.
“They are serious,” said Domenicali. “They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent track.” Representatives of the Rwanda Development Board travelled to the Monaco Grand Prix this year to speak with the FIA, demonstrating Rwanda’s growing interest in motor racing.
In December, in Kigali, the nation’s capital, East Africa will play home to the FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize Giving Ceremony. Now that Formula One has achieved its goal of growing its presence in the United States and is content with the three races it currently hosts in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas, it is examining other areas of the world where it should concentrate its efforts.
Domenicali stated that Africa is a subject under careful consideration. The continent has not hosted an F1 event since the 1993 South African Grand Prix. “We want to go to Africa, but we need to have the right investment, and the right strategic plan,” said Domenicali.
“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.”
