The new event is scheduled to take place in Rwanda in the early 2030s, accomplishing what F1 describe as a ‘long-standing ambition‘.
Formula 1 have announced a revolutionary 10-year agreement with Rwanda that will mark motor sport’s return to Africa for the first time since 1993.
The plan includes a new track set to be developed in Bugesara, designed for “major events, conferences and entertainment”, alongside its main intention of hosting “international motorsport”.
F1 are reentering the continent of Africa with huge enthusiasm: “It is an honour and privilege for one to be chosen as the destination in the Formula 1 calendar,” said Rwandan President Kagame at the launch event in Kigali.
“This partnership is long overdue, but it is a success and a milestone for the entire continent.”
Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has long championed the idea of hosting a Grand Prix in Africa and has been vocal in previous years on the capabilities of both South Africa and Rwanda to host the event.
With the 41-year-old having stated that he doesn’t want to retire from the sport without racing in Africa, he celebrated the announcement of the upcoming races taking place in what he deems “the most important continent.”
The races will be presented by Visit Rwanda, a government-backed tourism and marketing campaign, already sponsoring numerous sports teams, including Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, the Los Angeles Rams, and Aston Villa, who contentiously announced a £20 million-a-year front-of-shirt sponsorship with the brand this summer.
In light of Rwanda’s alleged connection to the M23 rebel group, a source of major conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Visit Rwanda’s sponsorships have been heavily criticised as an attempt at sportswashing.
Football clubs Arsenal and Bayern Munich have both terminated commercial partnerships with the brand within the last year due to condemnation regarding Rwanda’s human rights.
Many believe that these ties are an attempt to deflect from controversial and unethical abuses currently going on within the country.
“The concerns are very much valid, and we should not be ignorant to these political issues. However, if we were really going to take into account political issues, we wouldn’t be racing at a majority of these countries,” said Tasha Masuku, an F1 content creator and attendee.
“Formula One can do their best and take it into consideration to reflect positively on their own morals and the better of everyone else.”
Masuku added that Formula One’s return will have positive impacts on aspiring children, as well as validate the F1’s claim as a worldwide sport.
“Having a race in Africa will inspire the younger generation in Africa to venture out [for a career] in motorsports,” she said.
“Kids over the continent will be more motivated to pursue their passion as there’s now [direct access into motorsports as opposed to] travelling overseas and spending huge amounts of money.”
“We cannot call Formula One a global championship and not be visiting each continent over the season. As long as Africa is left out of the calendar, there’s no world championship in my eyes.”
Featured image by Charles Wong via Flickr CC