McKenzie cedes African F1 GP will go to Rwanda in 2030

If Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie is to be believed, Rwanda is the preferred bidder for an African F1 GP in 2030. In a post on social media, he said:

“We are happy for Rwanda’s 2030 F1. They have worked on it longer than SA and deserve it. Remember though that one country, Italy, has had two F1s a year, and some react like a continent of 55 countries can only get one. SA will get F1, even before 2030.”

However, if history shows us anything, it’s that African F1 GP races are not like Putco busses. You don’t wait all day for one, only for two to arrive simultaneously. So, is there any merit behind the rumour of a Rwanda Formula One race?

AFRICAN F1 GP RWANDA 2030

According to GMM, an announcement about an African F1 GP is imminent. Former racer turned pundit, David Coulthard, hinted that Formula 1 was preparing to announce ‘something big.’ He said it would be the long-awaited return to Africa, with reports claiming Rwanda and not South Africa had secured the race from 2030.

Moreover, speaking on his Up To Speed podcast, before McKenzie’s social media post, the former Red Bull driver suggested an announcement was imminent. “So, we’re going to be going to Africa. I’m hearing rumours that we’ll have an announcement for Africa from Formula one very soon,” said the Scotsman.

FIA PRIZE GIVING IN 2024

According to subsequent media coverage, the African F1 GP plan involves a new permanent circuit approximately 40 km from the capital Kigali, near Bugesera International Airport. The proposed circuit has been designed by WurzDesign, the company founded by former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame formally announced the country’s ambitions during the FIA’s 2024 prize-giving ceremony in Kigali. If confirmed, the deal would mark Formula 1’s first race in Africa since the 1993 South African GP at Kyalami. – with GMM

But what do you think? Is the African F1 GP not coming to South Africa yet another failure by the Sports Minister? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …