F1 handed 'morally indefensible' warning before Rwanda decision

Formula 1's 10-year deal to host a grand prix in Rwanda has drawn sharp condemnation from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with foreign minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner revealing that she "warned" Stefano Domenicali against the move.

The agreement will see the African Grand Prix staged at a purpose-built FIA Grade 1 circuit in Bugesera, roughly 40 kilometres south of Kigali, with racing expected to begin in the early 2030s. 

The track is being designed by Hermann Tilke's firm alongside Alexander Wurz, though the exact financial terms of the deal, including sanction fees and construction costs, have not been disclosed.

F1 has framed the move as fulfilling a long-held ambition to race on every inhabited continent, pointing to an estimated African fan base exceeding 100 million people, with the sport insisting that events like these bring lasting economic, tourism and infrastructure benefits to host regions.

But the United Nations has documented thousands of Rwandan troops operating alongside the M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo, with reports detailing the supply of surface-to-air missiles, armed drones and GPS-guided mortars to the insurgents. 

The UN Security Council has formally demanded Rwanda withdraw its forces, while the fighting has displaced more than seven million people nationwide, over 2.5 million of them in North Kivu alone.

Separate UN and Global Witness investigations have alleged that minerals looted from rebel-held Congolese territory, including coltan, are smuggled into Rwanda and blended into its official export supply before reaching international smelters.

Rwanda denies any military involvement with M23 and rejects claims of mineral smuggling, describing its troop presence as a defensive action against the FDLR militia.

DR Congo reveal 'warning' to Stefano Domenicali

Human rights groups have also accused Rwanda's president Paul Kagame's government of sports-washing, using high-profile sponsorships and events to burnish its international image while restricting independent media, opposition parties and civil society at home.

Wagner said she had already raised her objections with F1 before the deal was struck.

"In February 2025, I warned Stefano Domenicali and the F1 authorities that allowing Rwanda to host a Grand Prix would be morally indefensible," Wagner said in a written statement to The Athletic.

"The DRC welcomes Formula 1's return to Africa, but giving Paul Kagame this platform would help polish the image of an authoritarian leader whose government has helped fuel a devastating war in our country.

"Successive wars in the DRC have claimed millions of lives, making them among the deadliest conflicts since the Second World War.

"Today, civilians continue to be killed, abused and driven from their homes. The illegal exploitation of Congolese minerals directly benefits Rwanda: minerals taken from the DRC are smuggled into and exported from Rwanda, generating revenue while helping sustain the conflict.

"This is also an opportunity for F1 to show its audiences and supporters what the sport truly stands for. It should require credible, independent guarantees that no money used to host the race comes from conflict-linked minerals or the exploitation of Congolese resources."