Rwanda a “serious” option to host F1 race, says CEO Stefano Domenicali

• Previous efforts to bring the series to South Africa proved unsuccessful
• F1 is also exploring options in Southeast Asia, with Thailand the most likely to join the schedule

Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali has revealed that Rwanda is a “serious” option to host a future Grand Prix.

Africa is the one continent in which the global motorsport series does not compete. Previous efforts to stage a race at Kyalami Circuit in South Africa proved unsuccessful, but it is clear the sport remains intent on adding an event in the region.

“[Rwanda] are serious,” Domenicali told Motorsport.com. “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.”

Representatives from the Rwanda Development Board attended the Monaco Grand Prix to meet with the International Automobile Federation (FIA), while the country will also host the FIA’s annual general assembly and prize giving ceremony in its capital, Kigali, in December.

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

“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.”

Following rapid expansion in the US, which saw the addition of races in Miami and Las Vegas, Formula One is now taking a more global approach to any potential events.

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In May, Liberty Media chief executive Greg Maffei disclosed that Thailand, South Korea and Indonesia were interested in hosting Formula One, with Thailand the most likely to be added to the schedule soon.

This emphasises the increasing popularity of the series, which means Domenicali can be more selective with future races.

“Up until 2020 we were in a situation where the number of places that wanted to host F1 were not so numerous,” he said.

“Therefore we were not able to apply what I would say was a constructive pressure to grow what we can offer to our customers and to our fans.

“Now, we are on the other side. We have so many places around the world that want to host F1 that it allows us to make sure that we are working together with all of them to grow the experience.

“With 24 races, I see that there’s a number that will be stable, and we can really tune the ones that we are discussing to see what will be the future in the middle term.

“I don’t see big changes coming in the short term, but in the next couple of months we need to discuss what will be ’26, ’27 and ’28. We have different options but we are in a good place.”

BlackBook says…

Africa has not had a Formula One race since 1993, a season in which the series managed to race on six continents.

With the 2025 calendar locked in, it means it will have taken 33 years – at the very least – to ensure the series is truly global again if Rwanda makes it onto the 2026 schedule.

If Formula One is serious about improving diversity, then a race in Africa must be a priority to ensure there is visibility around the world.

But in order to accommodate expansion into countries like Rwanda and Thailand, existing races will need to make way. The Formula One schedule is already bloated at 24 races, so expect to see certain European races transition to rotational options to allow room for these new territories.