F1 in Africa: Where Things Stand and How Drivers Are Reacting

The prospect of F1 returning to Africa is gaining very real traction, although there's no official deal just yet. 

According to AFP, a "source in the African government" told them that Rwanda has already reached an agreement to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix. The plan is to build a race track in Rwanda's capital, Kigali. 

The country bared their plans in 2024, when Kigali hosted the FIA's General Assemblies and Prize Giving Ceremony. Rwanda President Paul Kagame took advantage of the opportunity to formally announce the country's bid to host an F1 race.

Their contingent's discussions with F1 President Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem continued steadily, which helped get us to where we are right now.

The plan centers on building a permanent circuit near the Bugesera International Airport, which is about 40 kilometers south of Kigali. Reports say that the circuit will be designed by former F1 driver and current track designer Alexander Wurz, through his WurzDesign company.

Again, there's no official agreement yet, but F1 drivers are already looking forward to racing and returning to Africa, possibly as early as 2030.

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has long lobbied for the sport to return to Africa. Hamilton is British, but is also of mixed-race descent, identifying as half-African with his roots tracing back to West Africa. 

Upon hearing rumors of F1 returning to Africa, Hamilton admitted that he doesn't have any concrete news about it yet. But the seven-time World Champion also revealed that F1 President Stefano Domenicali has been proactive in getting the sport to Africa.

Hamilton: "It is something I've been pushing for in the background, and Stefano has been amazing. He's flown to Africa so many times over the last couple of years, speaking to lots and lots of different people, so I hope that he has some news for me soon."

Red Bull's Max Verstappen hasn't raced in Africa, of course. The last F1 World Championship race took place at Kyalami in 1993. 

But the four-time World Champion has visited Rwanda once, when he received his fourth consecutive championship trophy during the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony. Verstappen said he and his fellow drivers are already looking forward to the possibility of racing in Rwanda.

Verstappen: "I've been once to Rwanda. We have to wait to see if it's all going to go through, but I think we're all very excited if that would happen."

The plans to bring Formula 1 to Africa should push through. Former F1 driver and current broadcast analyst David Coulthard already hinted that an Africa announcement was coming. Plus, major media outlets are already getting behind the speculation.

Right now, the FIA, F1, and local promoters might be working out specific aspects of the contract, including designated sponsors, safety protocols on the track, and viewership deals.

But expect everything to be worked out just in time for their 2030 timeline. The sport is already returning to Turkey and Portimão in 2027, so a return to Africa might just be around the corner.