LEWIS HAMILTON: FERRARI DRIVER EYES CONTINUING HIS F1 CAREER INTO THE 2030S TO RACE AT FIRST AFRICAN GP
Sky Sports’ Craig Slater reports that Formula 1 will return to Africa for the first time since 1993, with a brand-new Rwandan circuit set to host a Grand Prix from the early 2030s. Lewis Hamilton has set his sights on staying in Formula 1 into the 2030s in order to fulfil his dream of racing in Africa. Formula 1 last week announced the addition to its calendar of an African Grand Prix in Rwanda but did not provide a firm date for the first staging of the event, saying instead it will take place in the "early 2030s".By Sky Sports.
author By RWANDAPODIUM
    On Saturday 24 October 2026
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Hamilton, who turns 42 in January, will be 45 at the start of F1’s 2030 season. Despite the seven-time world champion accepting there is no guarantee he will still be on the grid at that stage, he is retaining hope of competing in what will be the sport’s first race in Africa since 1993.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, Hamilton said: "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.

"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."


Rwandan president Paul Kagame says it’s an ’honour and privilege’ following the news that the Rwandan circuit is set to host a Grand Prix from the early 2030s

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Hamilton is driving his second season for Ferrari and is known to have a contract with the team until at least the end of the 2027, with a potential option to remain with the Italian squad in 2028 too.

His future beyond that point with Ferrari and in F1 remains uncertain, but Hamilton’s former team-mate Fernando Alonso has shown what’s possible, with the Spaniard set to embark on another season with Aston Martin next year at the age of 45.

Hamilton: Approach Rwanda with humility

The announcement of a 10-year deal for Rwanda to host the event was met with criticism from some quarters, with Amnesty International labelling the agreement as "a sportswashing prize for the Rwandan authorities."

Appearing to react to some of the criticism that followed the announcement, Hamilton launched a passionate plea for the new event to be approached "with humility".


Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and George Russell react to rumours that Rwanda is on course to host Africa’s first F1 race since 1993 South African Grand Prix in Kyalami

"I don’t get to choose where we go," Hamilton said. "Naturally, there are problems all over the world today, so I’ve seen many of the stories. But I think we really have to approach it with humility.

"There’s a lot that we don’t know. Growing up in England, they never taught us anything about Africa. It needs to be on the curriculum. A lot of the problems they have there are still results of colonialism and the West intervening.

"But if you go and see the people, you see so many designs that are out there today from top brands that come from Africa. It’s got all the richest resources. I really hope, and I still have hope, that Africa unites. I know there are many people who don’t want that to happen because they would be so powerful if they did. But I’m still hopeful that at some stage they will.


Play Video - ’An absolute delight’ - Nqobile Khwezi thrilled to have African GP in Rwanda

South African Formula 1 presenter and content creator Nqobile Khwezi says it’s an ’absolute delight’ for Rwanda to be chosen to host a brand-new African Grand Prix from the early 2030s

"And, yeah, of course, going there doesn’t mean that you neglect the things that are happening there. So hopefully many people start to educate themselves a little bit more about what is happening there and what has happened there for hundreds of years. I hope that does spark the conversation.

"And then I guess I’ll finish it off with this: I think we need to make sure we’re pushing to free Congo, free Sudan, free Syria, free Palestine. I think there’s a lot of peace that I’m hoping we get to at some stage."

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