F1 slated as African GP battle heats up: 'What kind of thinking is that?'

South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has slated Formula 1 for having only one race in Africa, asking, "What kind of thinking is that?" for a continent with 54 countries.

McKenzie's comments follow F1's announcement this week that Rwanda has been handed a 10-year contract to host the championship, with the first race at a new circuit expected in the early 2030s.

It will be known as the African Grand Prix, with an entirely new track to be built at the newly planned RISE Motordrome in Bugesera, roughly 40 kilometres south of the capital, Kigali.

The circuit is being designed by Tilke Engineers & Architects alongside Alexander Wurz's WurzDesign, while South Africa has been working to bring Kyalami up to the required FIA grade.

F1's last race in Africa took place in South Africa in 1993, with McKenzie remaining confident that the country can host a race in either 2028 or 2029 and insisting that Rwanda should not be the only race on the continent to have a place on the calendar.

Speaking during a media briefing, as reported by Independent Online (IOL), McKenzie took aim at how many races other continents have.

"Now I can't argue with people that have that minimalist mindset, a defeatist mindset, that Africa must only get one [race], while the Middle East has four F1 races, the U.S. has three, Europe has got nine," said McKenzie.

"Now you expect Africa to only get one. What type of thinking is that? Now you want the whole continent of 54 countries, the whole continent of 54 countries, to have only one? Now we are very happy with Rwanda. 

"We are doing the work. We are on track. Now people must not come and say, 'Oh, they've beaten us.' Rwanda does not feature on our papers. 

"We are very happy for Rwanda because it helps us with our mission to make sure Africa [has F1]."