Rwanda Grand Prix is a serious talk, proposals for hosting the Formula-01 race has been made, said the governors of the motor racing of the nation.
Executives of Rwanda insisted the officials that East African country is all set to host the ‘F1 Grand Prix’ race ahead of the crucial talks, to be held next month.
The meeting between the Formula One and delegates from Rwanda will take place at the end of September, revealed F1 Chief Executive – Stefano Domenicali.
Considerably, F1 has raced on any African continent since the year 1993, when the last iteration of the South African Grand Prix was held at Kyalami on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
Rwanda, also had a thought to organise Kyalami but dropped the idea, and is keen to take on the mantle and insisted that they are ‘serious’ in their bid to join F1 race.
In the context, Automobile Club of Rwanda President – Christian Gakwaya expressed, “It is time for Africa to be part of the F1 calendar and we are ready to host an F1 race.”
Gakwaya further explained that Rwanda represents an ideal platform for the return of Formula One to Africa. He said that they are serious about submitting the candidacy. “Our interest in Formula One is in talks, with the national strategy to use sports as a lever for the economic transformation,” said the President.
He also mentioned that hosting the F1 race is an important and huge part of a broader strategy for motor sports in Rwanda, that includes development of infrastructure, building capacity i.e. social and economic development of schools and driving the excitement to host more and more events and championships.
However, Rwanda is ready to show itself to the FIA-F1’s governing body, when the capital Kigali hosting 2024 FIA awards ceremony in December.
Following this, Members of Rwanda development board also met the FIA at the Monaco Grand Prix, in this year only.
F1 Chief Executive – Stefano Domenicali told Autosport last week that Rwanda is serious. They have presented a good plan and actually have a meeting with them at the end of September, which will be on a permanent track.
“We want to go to Africa but we need to have the right investment and the right strategic plan,” said Domenicali.
He added further, “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.”
Notably, Thailand and South Korea are other countries with a firm interest in hosting the F1 race in future. Domenicali added that he is planning a visit to the capital of Thailand, Bangkok after next month’s race in Singapore.