Shock candidate emerges in F1 Africa bid

Formula 1 bosses will meet with Rwanda next month as the East African country looks to host its own grand prix in the future.

F1 has not raced in Africa since 1993, with the South African Grand Prix once being a consistent feature of the schedule.

As the sport continues to increase in popularity, several destinations have voiced interest in bringing F1 to their country.

F1 has signalled the importance of bringing the sport back to the African continent, with Rwanda representatives meeting F1 chiefs in late September to discuss the potential of hosting an event.

“They are serious,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told Autosport. 

“They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent track.”

Africa F1 return needs 'right strategic plan'

Rwanda will host the annual FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize Giving Ceremony in December from its capital city of Kigali.

While the sport remains keen to bring F1 back to Africa in the capacity of a permanent grand prix, Domenicali hinted it will not rush the decision.

“We want to go to Africa, but we need to have the right investment, and the right strategic plan,” Domenicali added.

“We need to have the right moment, and we need to make sure that also in that country, in that region, in that continent, there is the right welcoming, because, of course, they have other priorities. 

“We need to be always very careful in making the right choices.”