The Formula 1 grid might have to get used to seeing Lewis Hamilton in his racing suit for a while longer. During a recent press conference, the seven-time World Champion made a declaration regarding his career longevity: he refuses to retire from the sport until a Grand Prix is established on the African continent.
Hamilton has never been one to shy away from using his platform for global representation, and he revealed that he has been working behind the scenes for nearly seven years to bring F1 back to Africa. Currently, F1 races on every other inhabited continent, a gap in the calendar that Hamilton has frequently questioned in meetings with stakeholders.
“I’ve been fighting in the background to get a Grand Prix,” Hamilton stated. “I refuse to leave the sport without having a Grand Prix there, without getting to race there. So, I’m going to be here for a while until that happens.”
Having visited ten different countries across Africa, Hamilton shared several locations that he believes would serve as spectacular hosts for Formula 1. He spoke warmly of his time in Kenya and Rwanda, describing both as places where he felt he “could live” and specifically noting that Rwanda was “spectacular”.
He also expressed strong support for South Africa, calling the country “stunning.” Given its history as a previous host for the sport, it remains a key location in his vision for an African Grand Prix. Hamilton emphasized that these destinations are among the top places he could see the sport potentially visiting as he continues his multi-year push for a race on the continent.
For Hamilton, this isn’t just about adding another trophy to his cabinet. “I’m half African,” he reminded the press, noting his family roots in places like Benin, Senegal, and Nigeria.
“Something I’m really proud of is that part of the world. I think it is the most beautiful part of the world, and I don’t like that the rest of the world owns so much of it and takes so much from it and no one speaks about it. I’m really looking forward and hoping that the people that are running those different countries all unite and come together and take Africa back,” Hamilton shared. “That’s what I want to see. Take it back from the French. Take it back from the Spanish. Take it back from the Portuguese and the British. It’s so, so important for the future of that country and for that continent. I mean, they have all the resources to be the greatest and most powerful place in the world.”
With Hamilton moving to Ferrari in 2025, his “running out of time” comment suggests he’s putting pressure on F1 leadership to secure a date sooner rather than later.
