Rwanda hosted the FIA’s annual prize-giving ceremony in December where president Paul Kagame announced that the African country was bidding for a spot on the F1 calendar. ‘Doe

Formula 1 says it is "closely monitoring" the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the context of Rwanda's bid to host a grand prix.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame announced last December, while the east African country hosted the FIA end-of-season awards gala, that Rwanda is bidding to host an F1 race as the sport eyes a return to the African continent for the first time since 1993. South Africa are also keen on a return to the calendar.

F1 has been urged by the DRC to shelve the idea of staging a grand prix in Rwanda amid conflict between the two nations.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has urged Formula One to end talks with Rwanda over hosting a race, saying the Liberty Media-owned sport risks having its brand "smeared by a blood-stained association".

Formula 1 has said it is closely monitoring developments after concerns were raised by the Democratic Republic of Congo over a potential race in Rwanda.

When the Rwandan capital Kigali hosted the FIA's end-of-year prize-giving gala in December, President Paul Kagame formally outlined the country's ambitions to bring Formula 1 to Africa.

F1 chiefs have raised concerns over hosting a Grand Prix in Rwanda and could opt against handing the country a race during the 2027 season. Last year, Rwanda and South Africa both launched bids to host the first F1 race on the African continent since 1993.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially warned F1 to abandon talks with Rwanda over the possibility of hosting a round of the world championship.

African country Congo has thrown a spanner in the works of neighbouring Rwanda's clear plans to join the Formula 1 calendar. (…)

Formula 1 will be “smeared by a blood-stained association with Rwanda” if it stages a race in Kigali, says the Democratic Republic of Congo.