Tuesday the 13th brought two major announcements for the future of Formula 1. The sport confirmed a ten-year deal to return to Africa with a Grand Prix in Rwanda, starting in the early 2030s, while Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated that V8 engines would return in 2030.
The African leg will take place at a new permanent circuit in Bugesera, about 40 kilometers south of Kigali, and will mark the first F1 race on the continent since 1993. The project will be built to FIA Grade 1 standards and forms part of a broader plan involving tourism, infrastructure, and commercial development. Rwanda’s arrival also adds pressure to the calendar, presently capped at 24 races, raising questions about the future of several existing rounds.
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On the technical front, Ben Sulayem confirmed that the V8 is slated for 2030, with a pledge to reduce costs and weight of the cars. According to the FIA president, the new concept is expected to cut at least 50% of the expenses for research, development, and production of the power units, as well as restore a sound deemed more appealing to fans.
Meanwhile, McLaren hardened its stance following the collision between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the Singapore Sprint. Zak Brown revealed that both drivers were given a direct instruction to ensure the episode would not be repeated, while Andrea Stella emphasized that internal disputes cannot override the team’s collective interests. Norris has acknowledged that he should not have attempted the overtaking that ended in contact with Piastri.
Ferrari and Mercedes also had important topics on Tuesday. Charles Leclerc pressed for a quicker reaction from Ferrari in the development of the SF-26 and stated that accelerating updates could be decisive in reclaiming ground. At Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli sees potential in the latest package, but concedes that the operating window remains narrow, while Toto Wolff believes that testing with different specifications in Singapore helped the team better understand its new components.
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Max Verstappen, for his part, has already shifted focus to Austin. Despite back-to-back wins and Red Bull’s resurgence, the Dutch driver avoided declaring himself the favorite for the United States Grand Prix and highlighted the bumps of the Circuit of the Americas as a significant physical challenge. Off the track, Red Bull continues preparing the transition of Gianpiero Lambiase, with Tom Hart assuming Verstappen’s race engineer duties at selected late-season rounds.
Jake Thompson
I'm Jake Thompson, a motorsport journalist born and raised in North Carolina, where NASCAR weekends were basically family holidays. I’ve been covering everything from Formula 1 to rally raids for over a decade, blending sharp analysis with a fan’s heart. For me, writing about racing isn’t just a job — it’s the best seat in the house.
