Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has hinted at an extended retirement timeline following the announcement of an upcoming African Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion stated that the sport’s impending return to the continent will keep him on the grid longer than previously expected.

Formula 1 confirmed last week that the racing series will officially return to Africa in the early 2030s, featuring Rwanda’s debut on the calendar. The continent last hosted an F1 race in 1993 at Kyalami in South Africa. With Rwanda slated to join by 2030 at the earliest, Hamilton would be at least 45 years of age and entering his 24th season, yet the British driver expressed clear determination to remain competitive.

“I’m now forced to have to stay longer because we have a race in Africa, that’s been my dream to be able to race in Africa,” Hamilton told media members. “I have to keep fighting to try and stay fit if I can. If I can still punch out good results over the next year, we’ll keep it going.”

Hamilton highlighted his hands-on role in bringing the region back onto the calendar after years of direct campaigning. “I’ve been advocating for a race in Africa for many, many, many years,” Hamilton detailed. “Countless meetings with the stakeholders, so many meetings with Stefano at his office in London, but also at race weekends. Countless calls. ‘What’s happening? Where are we going? Who are we meeting with?’ Many meetings with different presidents from different countries. Lots of phone calls with different presidents from different countries within Africa.”

Reflecting on the cultural weight of the upcoming event, Hamilton added, “For me, it’s a place that deserves to have a grand prix. It’s more about… it’s more than just about one country. It’s about the continent in itself, and there are so many beautiful countries within it, and the people are so lovely. The culture is so rich, and I think it’s important that we get to show that to the world, and we get to do that with our sport.”

Formula 1’s return to the African continent in Rwanda is scheduled to arrive in the early 2030s.

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