Lewis Hamilton has set his sights on racing in Africa before his Formula One career ends, and is prepared to stay in the sport into the next decade to do it.

F1 announced last week that a race in Rwanda will join the calendar, with the event due to be held for the first time in the “early 2030s”.

Hamilton, who is 41, made his Formula One debut at the age of 22. No fixed date has been confirmed for the Rwandan grand prix, meaning the seven-time world champion will be at least 45 by the time it happens.

Hamilton is in his second season with Ferrari and plans to keep racing so that he can line up on the grid in Rwanda.

“I’m now forced to stay a bit longer because we have a race in Africa and that has been my dream to race in Africa,” Hamilton said.

“So I’m going to have to keep fighting to stay fit. If I can keep punching out results over the next years we will keep it going.”

While Hamilton looks to the future, his former seat at Mercedes could deliver a world championship this weekend. Kimi Antonelli, the 20-year-old who replaced Hamilton at the team, has his first opportunity to clinch the title.

He would become the sport's youngest champion if he wins on Sunday, Hamilton finishes outside the top five and George Russell, his nearest challenger, is outside the top nine.

That scenario remains unlikely, but Antonelli holds a whopping 102-point lead with six scheduled rounds remaining and is on course to be crowned champion in the coming weeks. Hamilton watched the Italian's development at Mercedes and has paid tribute to the champion-in-waiting.

Asked for any advice for Antonelli, Hamilton quipped: “Slow down!”

He added: "He doesn't need any advice. He has shown his talent and ability. He has done an amazing job this year. I am so proud of him and the way he has carried himself.

"When I was there (at Mercedes), I knew who was going to be replacing me. I think it was the right decision to create an opportunity for a young and upcoming driver. His enthusiasm and charm, he fits into the team environment.

"It's been great to see his performances this year. It's massively impressive and he deserves to be champion. I guess you never know how anyone will do under pressure until you see it. I assumed he would be fine with the weight that you have on you… but he has taken it in his stride.

“He is a relatively old soul in that young body I would say. I’m looking forward to racing with him longer.”

Antonelli is chasing a ninth win of the season at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas on Sunday, which would give him a shot of wrapping up the championship. He is determined not to be distracted by the history-making opportunity in front of him.

“It definitely is crazy if you think about it but that is why I won’t think about it,” Antonelli said.

"Something catastrophic would need to happen (to rivals) for me to win this weekend. We just said ‘let’s have fun’, always the same mindset I have had all year. Try to do the best I can every race weekend.

“(Winning it) will be a dream, something I have dreamt of since I was little. To find myself in such a position is incredible. I need to finish the job and then we can enjoy the rest.”

Max Verstappen has won the last two races, in Malaysia and Singapore, while Mercedes have struggled with their recent upgrade.