Africa is the only inhabited continent without a race and last hosted F1 in 1993 when Kyalami staged the South African Grand Prix. Rwanda, which laid on the FIA Awards in December, is competing with South Africa for the right to host the next African race mooted for 2027.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

African country Congo has thrown a spanner in the works of neighbouring Rwanda’s clear plans to join the Formula 1 calendar. When Rwandan capital

F1 responds to letter sent by DRC government discouraging it from hosting a race in neighbouring Rwanda amid bloody conflict