Formula One will stride back into Africa for the first time since 1993, with a race confirmed in Rwanda from approximately 2032 in a 10-season deal.
The news answers Lewis Hamilton’s long-argued claim that the sport should return to the continent, having last been held in Kyalami, South Africa, under Bernie Ecclestone’s regime more than 30 years ago.
Stefano Domenicali, chief executive of the sport, said: ‘Today is a landmark moment for Formula One. With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent, bringing the world championship closer than ever to fans around the globe.
‘Africa has always been part of Formula One’s future, and from the beginning we were determined to return in the right way, with the right partner, a long-term commitment and a clear vision for creating meaningful impact.’
The exact year the race will start is yet to be settled, though it is likely to be in 2032, though possibly a year earlier.
Domenicali added: ‘I would like to thank His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, the Government of Rwanda, the Rwanda Development Board, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and everyone whose dedication and collaboration have made this possible.
Lewis Hamilton has called for a Formula One race to be held in Africa for many years
‘This is about much more than hosting a grand prix. Together, we can create lasting economic and social benefits through tourism, investment, skills development and local business growth, ensuring the positive impact of this event is felt for generations.
‘For our fans, this is an especially exciting moment. Africa is home to more than 100 million F1 fans, and that number continues to grow rapidly.
‘We are bringing the excitement, energy and drama of F1 closer to millions of people who have waited a long time to see our sport return to the continent, and we look forward to writing an exciting new chapter together.’
Rwanda has emerged as a controversial presence in British sport over its human rights record and alleged ‘sportwashing’ – with the ‘Visit Rwanda’ brand drawing criticism as a sponsor of Arsenal for eight years, before ending in June.
‘Visit Rwanda’ are now Aston Villa’s main shirt sponsor and Amnesty International UK’s head of campaigns Felix Jakes said: ‘It’s not new that Rwanda is using sportswashing to deflect attention from its terrible human rights record.
‘Aston Villa should be well aware that Rwanda is seeking to leverage this partnership to create positive PR… Rwanda’s sportswashing needs to be called out, and we’d like Aston Villa and the Premier League to play their part in this.’
The United Nations and Western governments accuse Rwanda of backing the armed rebel group M23 with weapons and troops to fight a proxy war inside the Democratic Republic of Congo. But Rwanda deny supporting the insurgency.
Millions of civilians in eastern DRC have been displaced or killed as the conflict spirals into a humanitarian crisis.
