FIA unveils historic location for next Prize-Giving Gala

The 2024 FIA Prize-Giving Gala will take place in Kigali, Rwanda - marking the first time that the ceremony has visited Africa.

This year's event was staged in Baku, Azerbaijan, a city that has hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix annually since 2016.

At the ceremony, Max Verstappen received his World Championship trophy for the third time while champions from other motorsport categories were also honoured.

Speaking at the FIA gala on Friday Hamilton questioned the environmental impact of travelling to far locations to stage the event.

“Whilst I really like Baku – it’s really a beautiful place – I have questions in my mind whether the FIA is really actually thinking about sustainability,” Hamilton said.

“Because so many people flew out here, when the FIA is actually in Paris and it would have just been easier to have it there.

“But it’s a beautiful arena. It’s a night that we all get to come together and celebrate all the amazing achievements from all the great people that are working within the sport and all the amazing drivers that I wouldn’t get to see during the year as well.”

The gala has traditionally been held in European cities since its inception, however it has also ventured to locations such as New Delhi and Doha.

The 2024 event will venture to the central African country of Rwanda, part of a continent that has been without a Formula 1 race since 1993.

It is understood that efforts have been made in recent years to return to South Africa for a Grand Prix, which has a long history with the sport.