Representatives from Rwanda are scheduled to have talks with Formula 1 as The FIA claim that Rwanda’s bid for F1 is getting ‘serious’.
F1 has been swarmed by discussions of additions and potential rotations of many races that currently have a place on the F1 calendar. With this season sporting a record of 24 races and more countries staking an interest in hosting.
We’ve seen rumours of Chicago possibly hosting a race, with Rwanda now hoping to join in with a bid. Recently there’s been discussion around alternating races like Vegas and Miami, and Zandvoort and Spa. All to make room for new additions.
Although the discussions about adding in American races have become commonplace since Liberty Media’s acquisition of Formula One. Especially with Liberty Media’s target of growing F1 fans within the states. It is not the only place that has expressed interest.
Rwanda have now made their interest in being the only African F1 race clear. F1 has not held a race in Africa in over three decades. With the growing international fan base, the interest is certainly there.
This year, the FIA prize giving ceremony will be held in Rwanda’s capital. The Rwanda Development Board also attended the Monaco Grand Prix this year to meet with the FIA.
The F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali admitted, “We want to go to Africa, but need to have the right investment, and the right strategic plan.”
He continued on to say, “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.”
Why is there so much interest?
The interest from many locations has only become more prominent in recent years. Since the introduction of Drive To Survive.
Domenicali was open when he said “Until 2020 we were in a situation where the number of places that wanted to host F1 were not so numerous.”
However, in just four years, the situation F1 has found themselves in is the complete opposite. “Now, we are on the other side. We have so many places around the world that want to host F1 that it allows us to make sure we’re working together with all of them to grow that experience.”
Despite the attention and intrigue from different places to host F1 races. Domenicali has been clear that he intends to keep 24 as the maximum number of races per season. Beyond that, it will be a few years before big changes are made.
“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.”
Besides the possibility of the Rwandan Grand Prix, Thailand has also expressed interest in joining the F1 calendar. Aiming to have a Grand Prix in Bangkok.
It seems the future of the F1 calendar could be changing greatly in the coming years. With Rwanda’s F1 bid getting serious and interest from Chicago, Thailand and many other countries around the world. A rotating calendar may be the answer to keeping the limit at 24.
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