Steep climbs, sharp descents and banked corners are among the features expected to make Rwanda’s planned Formula 1 circuit in Bugesera a challenging racing venue, with one of its designers comparing the track to a roller coaster.
The six-kilometre, anti-clockwise circuit is planned to feature 17 corners and nearly 200 metres of elevation change over a lap, according to details released by Formula 1.
Carsten Tilke, managing partner at Tilke Engineers and Architects, described the proposed circuit as an exciting challenge for drivers, with its design intended to create opportunities for overtaking while bringing spectators closer to the action.
“It really is a roller coaster track,” Tilke said.
One of the circuit’s most distinctive features is its location between two hills overlooking a lake. Rather than building a largely flat track, the designers plan to use the natural landscape to create a route with significant changes in elevation.
Former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz, who leads WurzDesign, said several locations had been considered before Bugesera was selected.
Among the options were a street circuit and a possible development around Kigali’s existing airport. However, the hills and lakes surrounding Bugesera offered a setting the designers believed was particularly suitable for the project.
The circuit will be located approximately 40 kilometres south of Kigali, near the new international airport.
According to Wurz, the natural terrain will allow the track to follow the surrounding hills, creating a combination of fast sections, challenging corners and changes in elevation.
The design also includes corners with different slopes and banked sections, which can influence how racing cars handle turns and maintain grip.
To assess these features, the design team has been using computer simulations to study how Formula 1 cars could perform on the circuit.
Wurz said he had already completed thousands of simulated laps as part of the design process.
Another factor being considered is altitude. Rwanda’s elevated terrain means the thinner air could affect the aerodynamic performance of racing cars, reducing the grip generated by their aerodynamic components.
The designers are examining how this could influence tyre performance, braking and the handling of cars through different corners.
Beyond the racing experience, the project places considerable emphasis on spectators.
The surrounding hills are expected to provide elevated viewing areas, allowing fans to watch different sections of the circuit.
According to engineering and design consultancy Dar, the proposed RISE Motordrome is being designed to accommodate up to 100,000 spectators.
The facility’s architecture will also draw inspiration from Rwandan culture, particularly traditional village designs, with buildings intended to blend into the surrounding landscape.
Plans extend beyond the Formula 1 circuit itself.
The development will include a karting facility, a driving experience centre and off-road courses, providing opportunities for motorsport activities throughout the year.
The venue is also expected to accommodate concerts, international sporting competitions and other major events.
These facilities are intended to make the development a year-round destination rather than a venue used only during Formula 1 race weekends.
The circuit is being developed to meet FIA Grade 1 standards, the highest international classification required to host Formula 1 races.
However, the full track layout has not yet been publicly released, and the project remains under development.
The plans follow the announcement of a 10-year agreement for Rwanda to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, bringing the championship back to the continent for the first time since the South African Grand Prix in 1993.
The first race is expected to take place in the early 2030s, once construction of the Bugesera circuit is completed, although an exact date has not yet been announced.
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