Do you remember when Max Verstappen was given a community service penalty last season? He had dared to use the word ‘fucked’ to describe the state of his car. Of course, it was scandalous that he would use such a term. What was he thinking?
It was all a bit of nonsense, really. The F-word was not used as a swear word here, and no one took offense. Except for the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Max Verstappen dutifully served his penalty by meeting young drivers from the Rwanda Automobile Club. He did this prior to the annual FIA Gala, which this time was organized in Rwanda of all places. Sanctioning drivers for using the word ‘fuck’, while at the same time making a good impression with a dubious regime, speaks volumes about the double standards held by the FIA.
Rwanda is still in the running for a spot on the Formula 1 calendar. The FIA and the commercial owners of the sport have long harbored the ambition to return to Africa. Since Alain Prost won the South African GP in Kyalami in 1993, the sport has turned its back on Africa and it is the only continent without an F1 race. Several African countries are now showing interest again. South Africa, Morocco, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Reputation Damage
“Africa deserves the return of Formula 1 and Rwanda is the best location for this,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem said earlier. However, the odds seem to be slowly shifting in favor of South Africa. Thankfully. It would be a blessing for Formula 1. Not so much because Kyalami in South Africa is an iconic circuit, but mainly because it would prevent a historical blunder that could potentially cause enormous damage to the sport’s reputation.”
Rwanda still ranks among the 25 poorest countries in the world. Despite significant development since the 1994 genocide, over a third of the population still lives below the poverty line. The country also grapples with immense social and political unrest. Under the corrupt presidency of Paul Kagame, press freedom and human rights are severely suppressed, and political opponents mysteriously disappear. The regime has long been accused of occupying the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and supporting the M23 rebels wreaking havoc in Rwanda’s neighboring country.
Moral Compass
Organizing an FIA Gala in such a setting, as was done last winter, and even considering hosting an F1 race, shows a complete lack of moral compass. The planned construction of the circuit, south of the capital Kigali, is estimated to cost over 270 million dollars. Rwanda claims that the circuit, designed by Alexander Wurz, would boost employment and the tourism sector in the country, thereby recouping the investments. However, this is highly speculative.
These are primarily conjectures that rarely materialize in practice. More importantly, this is a blatant example of sportswashing by a dubious regime, attempting to polish the country’s tarnished image at the expense of the impoverished population, who have no interest in motorsport. They have more pressing concerns…
Disregard
Previously, Rwanda managed to exploit football clubs like Bayern Munich, Paris Saint Germain, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid in a similar manner. In football too, principles are casually discarded for a few extra millions. ‘Visit Rwanda’ is emblazoned on the sleeves of Arsenal players. Well, no thanks!
In the interest of Formula 1, it is hoped that the choice for an African race falls on South Africa, the only country on the continent with a rich motorsport culture and history. And if it ends up being Rwanda? Then all drivers have the right to raise their middle finger and loudly say ‘Fuck’ to the FIA and the wealthy owners of the sport!
