Formula 1 News: Bloody conflict could derail Rwanda's F1 race bid

This controversy has not derailed Rwanda’s F1 bid. Just today, Jean-Guy Afrika (CEO of the Rwanda Development Board) said that talks with F1 are “progressing” (though “not yet concluded”) and remain tied to infrastructure like the new Bugesera International Airport. The target debut is now 2029, reflecting a realistic timeline amid the crowded calendar and ongoing preparations.

Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, added that preparations are advancing well, emphasizing the country’s reliability as a partner.

The underlying regional tensions between Rwanda and DRC persist (with mutual accusations over the M23 conflict and recent diplomatic strains), but there have been intermittent peace efforts, including US-brokered talks.

Donald Trump presided over the signing of the “Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity” in December 2025 between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, a deal that built on earlier agreements to end their decades-long conflict. However, there are still small skirmishes likely caused by poor communication of the deal with troops on the ground.

No new public statements from F1 indicate they’ve paused or ended discussions due to the earlier DRC letter.

Rwanda formally launched its bid in December 2024, proposing a new permanent FIA Grade 1 circuit designed by former F1 driver Alexander Wurz, incorporating the country’s hilly terrain. The plan aims to bring F1 back to Africa for the first time since the 1993 South African Grand Prix.

No deal has been signed yet, and Rwanda is competing with South Africa (which is pushing for a return at a refurbished Kyalami circuit, potentially starting in 2027). Experts currently view Rwanda as the frontrunner for an African slot on the calendar.

Earlier ambitions pointed to 2027 or 2028, but timelines have shifted due to infrastructure needs and the crowded F1 schedule (the 2026 calendar is already confirmed with no African race).

Rwanda continues to be viewed as the frontrunner for an African return (ahead of South Africa’s Kyalami refurbishment push, which eyes 2027 but faces delays). F1 has long prioritized an African race, and the bid—backed by a new circuit design from Alexander Wurz—remains active and optimistic.

In short, while the conflict raised valid geopolitical concerns earlier this year, the latest updates show steady progress rather than derailment.

February 13, 2025

(GMM) African country Congo has thrown a spanner in the works of neighboring Rwanda’s clear plans to join the Formula 1 calendar.

When Rwandan capital Kigali hosted the FIA’s end-of-year prize giving gala in December, its president Paul Kagame took the opportunity to formalize the country’s intentions to become host of the African GP.

But a month later, a reportedly Rwandan-backed rebel group captured Goma, a Congolese city near the Rwandan border. In response, the United Nations – claiming that the violence has already resulted in thousands of deaths – condemned Rwanda’s alleged support of the rebel group of savages called M23.

Congo’s foreign affairs minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner has now written a letter to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, declaring the sport’s talks with Rwanda to be “deeply concerning”.

“While I applaud Formula 1’s desire to host a grand prix in Africa, I question whether Rwanda would be a choice that best represents our continent and urge you to end negotiations and rule Rwanda out as a potential host,” she wrote in the letter.

“Does Formula 1 really want its brand smeared by a blood-stained association with Rwanda?”

When asked to comment on the letter, a spokesperson for Formula 1 said it is “closely monitoring” the situation in Rwanda.

“We have received inquiries from several organizers around the world wishing to host a Formula 1 race in the future,” the F1 official added.

“We assess any potential request in detail and any future decisions are based on full information and on what is in the best interests of the sport and our values.”