Hamilton Wants to Stay in Formula One Until Rwanda's Race Arrives

Lewis Hamilton hopes to keep racing until Formula One reaches Africa, and he has set himself a deadline: the early 2030s. Speaking before the US Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion said he would like to race for at least another four years so he can take part in the African Grand Prix in Rwanda, according to The Guardian.

Hamilton is 41. He is understood to be under contract with Ferrari until the end of the 2027 season, which means he would need a new deal to reach the race. For context, the oldest driver on the current grid is Fernando Alonso, who is 45.

The race itself is now on the calendar. Formula One confirmed a 10-year agreement for Rwanda to host a Grand Prix, with the first event set for the early 2030s. The race will be presented by Visit Rwanda, the country's tourism campaign. It would be the first Formula One race in Africa since 1993, when the series last raced at Kyalami in South Africa.

The circuit is planned for Bugesera, about 25 miles south of Kigali, Rwanda's capital. It has not been built yet, so the track layout and construction timetable are still to be settled. Teams and drivers will not be able to test there until it exists.

Hamilton has pushed for an African race for some time. In August 2024 he said he was working behind the scenes with Rwanda and South Africa on plans for a race. Earlier this year he called for a movement to "take Africa back", arguing that European powers still control the continent. Formula One's decision has now given that push a venue.

Hamilton said that racing in Africa has been his dream. He also said he has to keep himself fit and keep producing good results if he wants to carry on that long. Rivals will be watching that closely, because a driver's place on the grid depends on results as much as wanting to race.

Not everyone welcomes the deal. Felix Jakens, head of campaigns at Amnesty UK, criticised the 10-year agreement as a "sportswashing" prize for Rwandan authorities. Sportswashing is the term for using a major sporting event to improve a country's image abroad, and Amnesty's objection is aimed at what the race would do for the government's reputation.

For fans, the timeline is the story. The track is not yet built, the first race is at least several seasons away, and the driver at the centre of the push has to stay competitive for about four more years. Plenty can change in that time, from car regulations to team line-ups. For now, Hamilton has put a marker down, and Formula One has put Rwanda on the map.