Formula 1 risks having its brand “smeared by a blood-stained association with Rwanda” if it presses ahead with talks to stage a grand prix in Kigali, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has warned.

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".

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.

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.

The UN reported in December that up to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are fighting alongside the M23 against the Congolese army and FDLR militia group. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied accusations that his soldiers are in DR Congo, though he has also simultaneously sought to justify its presence and right to defend itself.

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