Formula One is finally making a comeback to Africa, and it’s a total W. The sport’s leadership officially announced a 10-year agreement to bring a Grand Prix to Rwanda, marking the first time F1 has raced on the continent since 1993.
The details
The new race, dubbed the African Grand Prix, is set to go down in the early 2030s. F1 is building a brand-new, purpose-built track in Bugesera, located just 25 miles outside of the capital, Kigali. The designers are hyping up the circuit, promising it will lean into the area’s natural elevation changes for a unique, challenging experience. Real talk: the drivers are actually getting a say in the final track design, which is highkey a move in the right direction.
Lewis Hamilton’s impact
If you’ve been paying attention, you know seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been pushing hard for this. He’s been lobbying behind the scenes for years, insisting that F1 needed to represent on the continent. “I’ve always said that we need to have a Grand Prix in Africa,” the 41-year-old said at the Singapore Grand Prix.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali called it a “landmark moment,” noting that once this kicks off, the sport will officially be racing on every single inhabited continent. With over 100 million fans across Africa, it’s about time the grid showed up.
Why it matters
This deal bridges a near 40-year gap since the last South African Grand Prix in Kyalami. By committing to a 10-year timeline, F1 is proving they aren't just here for a quick photo op, but are actually investing in the future of the sport in a massive, untapped market. The plot thickens for the championship schedule, and fans who have been waiting for decades finally get to see their favorite drivers in action.
