F1 Rumor: Kigali, Rwanda being eyed for possible F1 race (3rd Update)

(GMM) Rwanda has emerged as a strong candidate to become Formula 1’s African GP.  Recently, Thailand was strongly linked with a solid grand prix bid – but Lewis Hamilton insists that F1’s priority must be on completing a truly global world championship, however he is unwilling to put up his millions and make the race financially viable.

“It’s 100 percent the right time,” he declared at Zandvoort. “You can’t add races elsewhere and continue to ignore Africa. Nobody ever gives anything to Africa.”

French-language news agency AFP reports that, just in the last few days, contact was made between F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and officials in Rwanda – located in Africa’s Great Lakes region.

Domenicali confirmed that face-to-face meetings with officials about a permanent circuit in Rwanda are now scheduled for September.

“We want to go to Africa, but we have to find the right investment with the right strategy,” said the Italian.

It’s music to seven time world champion Hamilton’s ears.

“I think having a grand prix there would highlight what a beautiful place it is and develop tourism and many other things,” said the Mercedes driver.

“It’s one of my favorite places I’ve been,” Hamilton added. “I’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes and spoken to people in Rwanda and South Africa. It’s great that they want a grand prix so badly.”

According to AFP, a Formula 1 source confirmed that “negotiations are underway”.

This is an update to our rumor from 15 months ago. Formula 1 chiefs have scheduled talks with representatives of Rwanda next month as the African country bids to push forward with plans to host a grand prix.

As F1 eyes future calendar expansion to make the most of the championship’s boom in interest around the world, it has been clear that having a race on the African continent is a key target.

While a number of countries in the region have expressed a desire to host F1 races, it is understood that Rwanda’s plans are at an advanced enough stage for more serious discussions to take place.

Speaking in an interview with Autosport, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said a meeting had been set up with Rwanda to talk about the project, which he said showed some promise.

“They are serious,” said Domenicali. “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.”

In an interview with Grandprix247.com, Hermann Tilke said his company is working on two new F1 tracks this year.

Might one be Kigali?

Might the other one be Indonesia?  Recall this rumor that Indonesia plans to host an F1 race starting in 2024.  If true, the track will need to be completed on time.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The word coming out of the Saudi Arabian GP paddock is that Kigali in Rwanda, Africa is getting a serious look as a possible F1 venue.

Under Paul Kagame’s leadership Rwanda has become one of the more advanced countries in Africa and was deemed the second safest country in Africa in a Gallup Global Law and Order report in 2018.

Rwanda is a difficult topic. Most people still think about the genocide but that’s not the country today. Rwanda has made leaps in most relevant metrics. However, Kagame drives his country forward with a lack of democracy and with involvement in DR Congo and its questionable situation.

Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda, roughly in the center of the country. It sprawls across numerous hills, ridges and valleys, and has a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene

The Capitol Kigali has a lower crime index than any major US city. It’s a very safe city and country in general, not to mention has a cleanliness standard similar to Singapore.

Average salaries are currently in the $5,000 per year range, but by 2050 Kagame’s aim is to move it into a high-income country, at least by African standards.

We’d bet the race would also be very extreme in either rain or heat considering it’s proximity to the equator and the Congo basin.

So, given the weather and the average income, can Kigali really host an F1 race?

Or is Domenicali using it as leverage to get Morocco or Kyalami to cough up the $50 million per year expected sanction fee?