Formula One (F1) has dismissed the request from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to immediately exclude Rwanda from the list of African countries under consideration to host a Grand Prix. F1 management stated that they will evaluate all bids fairly and based on merit.
Rwanda officially submitted its bid to host a Formula One race during the FIA General Assembly held in Kigali in December 2024. Speculation regarding Rwanda’s interest in hosting a Grand Prix began in August 2024, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicale later confirmed that discussions were set to continue in September of that year.
Meanwhile, the DRC has been lobbying for international sanctions against Rwanda amid ongoing conflicts in its eastern regions. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of occupying parts of its territory, a claim Kigali strongly denies, emphasizing that local populations are fighting for their rights.
In early 2025, DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, sent letters to all organizations with partnerships in Rwanda, urging them to sever ties. One such letter was addressed to Stefano Domenicale, requesting that Formula One terminate any discussions with Rwanda regarding the Grand Prix bid.
F1’s response, however, remained neutral. The organization reiterated its commitment to evaluating all proposals based on potential benefits and alignment with the values of the sport.
“We have received bids from various regions worldwide seeking to host an F1 race. We assess each application carefully, and any decision will be based on comprehensive information and our sport’s best interests,” the F1 spokesperson stated.
Recently, Rwandan President Paul Kagame dismissed the DRC’s efforts to pressure organizations like Arsenal Football Club and other partners of the Visit Rwanda initiative.
“They are wasting their energy. Instead of pressuring Arsenal and others we work with, they should focus on solving their internal problems and streamlining their policies effectively,” Kagame told a CNN journalist.
Africa has not hosted a Formula One race since 1993, when South Africa held the last Grand Prix. If Rwanda’s bid is successful, the country would not host a race before 2028, as all Grand Prix venues have been confirmed up to 2027.
