Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Hamilton hopes to race in Rwanda as F1 plans African Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton hopes to stay in Formula One long enough to race in Rwanda at the planned African Grand Prix in the early 2030s.
F1 has agreed a 10-year deal for the race, which is planned for a purpose-built circuit near Bugesera, south of Kigali.
The event would mark F1’s return to Africa for the first time since 1993, when it raced at Kyalami in South Africa.
Rwanda’s choice as host has drawn criticism over its human rights record and allegations that its government supports M23 rebels in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
DR Congo’s foreign minister has called on F1 to ensure race funding is not linked to conflict minerals or Congolese resources.
Hamilton welcomes a race on the continent but says people should approach it with humility and not ignore the issues there.
The circuit still needs to be built, and the race is expected in the early 2030s.
Lewis Hamilton hopes to keep racing in Formula One long enough to compete in the African Grand Prix planned for Rwanda in the early 2030s.
Formula One has agreed a 10-year deal for the race, which would mark the series’ return to Africa for the first time since 1993.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, said racing in Africa has been a long-standing dream and that he has lobbied for a race there.
The choice of Rwanda has drawn criticism over the country’s human rights record and allegations that it backs rebels in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hamilton said the race should be approached with humility and that its arrival should not mean ignoring concerns about what is happening in the region.
- Who
- Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, hopes to compete in the race.
- What
- Formula One plans to hold an African Grand Prix in Rwanda under a 10-year deal.
- When
- The first race is expected in the early 2030s; no specific date has been announced.
- Where
- On a planned circuit in Bugesera, south of Kigali, Rwanda.
- Why
- Hamilton says racing in Africa has been his dream and that the continent deserves a Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton
Critics of Formula One’s Rwanda deal
The race
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton supports the race as a chance to showcase Africa and says the continent deserves a Grand Prix.
Critics of Formula One’s Rwanda deal
Critics say awarding Rwanda the race risks sportswashing the authorities’ human rights record.
Concerns about Rwanda
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton says the race should be approached with humility and should not mean neglecting events in the region.
Critics of Formula One’s Rwanda deal
Amnesty UK and DR Congo officials have raised concerns about human rights abuses and Rwanda’s alleged support for rebels in neighbouring Congo.
Formula One last held a race in Africa, at Kyalami in South Africa.
Formula One confirmed a 10-year agreement for Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix.
Hamilton said he hoped to keep racing long enough to compete in the planned race.
The first African Grand Prix in Rwanda is expected to take place.
- Hamilton
- 41 years old; seven-time world champion
- Race deal
- 10 years
- Planned location
- Bugesera, 25 miles south of Kigali
- Expected start
- Early 2030s
- Last African F1 race
- 1993, at Kyalami, South Africa
5 sources
Approach African GP with humility, says Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton aims to extend career till early 2030s so he can race in African Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton “forced to stay a lot longer” in F1 amid African Grand Prix hopes
“Free Congo!”: Hamilton welcomes F1’s return to Africa, with reservations over Rwanda | Formula 1
Hamilton hints at staying in F1 to race in Africa
What people are saying
I’m now forced to have to stay a lot longer because we have a race in Africa and that’s been my dream to be able to race in Africa
Of course, going doesn’t mean that you neglect the things that are happening there.
Rwanda is buying into the world’s biggest sports to polish its image and deflect from its appalling human rights record.
morally indefensible