Rwanda is a “serious” option to host F1 race according to CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Formula 1 is seriously considering expanding its calendar to include a race in Africa, with Rwanda emerging as a strong candidate.

This development is part of F1’s broader strategy to tap into new markets and regions as the sport’s global popularity continues to grow.

While several countries in the region have expressed interest in hosting F1 races, it is reported that Rwanda’s plans are advanced enough to warrant more in-depth discussions.

In an exclusive interview with Autosport, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed that a meeting has been scheduled with Rwanda to discuss the project, which he believes holds great promise.

“They are serious,” said Domenicali. “They have presented a good plan and actually we have a meeting with them at the end of September. It will be on a permanent track.”

Rwanda has shown interest in motor racing and will host the FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize Giving Ceremony in Kigali in December. F1 is considering expanding to Africa, which has not hosted a race since 1993.

“We want to go to Africa, but we need to have the right investment, and the right strategic plan,” said Domenicali.

“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.”

Domenicali said that F1 was now at a stage where there was enough interest around the world for it to pick the best calendar it possibly could.

“Up until 2020 we were in a situation where the number of places that wanted to host F1 were not so numerous.

“Therefore we were not able to apply what I would say was a constructive pressure to grow what we can offer to our customers and to our fans.

“Now, we are on the other side. We have so many places around the world that wants to host F1 that it allows us to make sure that we are working together with all of them to grow the experience.

“With 24 races, I see that there’s a number that will be stable, and we can really tune the ones that we are discussing to see what will be the future in the middle term.

“I don’t see big changes coming in the short term, but in the next couple of months we need to discuss what will be ’26, ’27 and ’28. We have different options but we are in a good place.”

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