Stefano Domenicali hails 'landmark moment' after new F1 grand prix announcement

F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali has hailed the news that the championship is returning to Africa as a "landmark moment for Formula 1."

As RacingNews365 revealed last week, grand prix racing will return to Africa for the first time since 1993, with the 'African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda' to take place at a new purpose-built circuit south of the Rwandan capital, Kigali.

The race, the first in Africa since the 1993 South African GP at Kyalami, will join the calendar "in the early 2030s" and will mean F1 will race on every inhabited continent.

The news comes after Rwanda has held high-profile events in recent years, including the FIA general assembly and prize-giving ceremony in 2024, with President Paul Kagame enjoying warm relations with both Domenicali and his FIA counterpart, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Reacting to the news, Domenicali explained that F1 was "determined to return to Africa in the right way" following the near-four-decade absence. 

"Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1. With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent, bringing the World Championship closer than ever to fans around the globe," said Domenicali.

"Africa has always been part of Formula 1's future, and from the beginning we were determined to return in the right way, with the right partner, a long-term commitment and a clear vision for creating meaningful impact. 

"I would like to thank His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, the Government of Rwanda, the Rwanda Development Board, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and everyone whose dedication and collaboration have made this possible. 

"This is about much more than hosting a Grand Prix. Together, we can create lasting economic and social benefits through tourism, investment, skills development and local business growth, ensuring the positive impact of this event is felt for generations. 

"For our fans, this is an especially exciting moment. Africa is home to more than 100 million Formula 1 fans, and that number continues to grow rapidly. 

"We are bringing the excitement, energy and drama of Formula 1 closer to millions of people who have waited a long time to see our sport return to the continent, and we look forward to writing an exciting new chapter together." 

Note. The image below is an early render of the possible track design and is not final.