Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has welcomed the sport’s confirmed return to the African continent with a long-term Grand Prix contract in Rwanda set for the early 2030s, stating that the development gives him a strong incentive to extend his career.
Lewis Hamilton Eyes the Early 2030s Rwanda Grand Prix
Speaking in Austin, Texas, on the margins of the United States Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion addressed reporters regarding Formula 1’s agreement to host a race in Rwanda at the start of the next decade.Hamilton revealed that he undertook a personal journey through several African nations in 2025, including Benin, to trace his family roots.
“Now I am forced to stay longer in F1 because we are going to have a race in Africa,” Hamilton told a press conference. “It was my dream to have the opportunity to race in Africa.”
The announcement follows Formula 1’s confirmation last week of a ten-year deal with Rwanda to stage a Grand Prix in the country. The proposed racing venue is planned for Bugesera, situated near a new airport approximately 40 kilometers south of Kigali. Design work for the facility involves Formula 1 circuit architect Hermann Tilke and former driver Alexander Wurz, Sportsoftheday.com reported.
Formula 1 Returns to Africa Since 1993
The upcoming Rwandan fixture marks the championship’s first visit to the African continent since the 1993 season-opening race at Kyalami in South Africa, where French driver Alain Prost took victory ahead of Ayrton Senna. Previous efforts by Formula 1 to secure a race in Africa focused heavily on South Africa, including proposals for Kyalami and a street circuit in Cape Town, all of which ultimately did not materialize.
During the press conference in Austin, young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli suggested that Hamilton should at least compete in the inaugural Rwandan event. Hamilton responded positively, indicating his willingness to keep training and racing if his competitive results on the track remain strong next season.
At 41 years old, Hamilton’s current racing timeline leaves open questions regarding whether he will still compete when the lights go out in Kigali in the 2030s. In March 2026, he remarked that he did not want to stop racing without experiencing a Grand Prix on the continent, though he admitted at the time that time felt short.
Broader Geopolitical Reflections from the Seven-Time Champion
Alongside his enthusiasm for the sporting calendar expansion, Hamilton used the media appearance to offer wider reflections on the region’s history. The British driver voiced a hope for continental unity while pointing to historical factors influencing modern challenges.
“I really hope that Africa unifies,” Hamilton said, adding that many difficulties experienced across the region remain a direct consequence of historical colonization and Western interventions.
Preparations for the Bugesera circuit continue as Formula 1 maps out its logistical footprint for the 2030s calendar expansion, while the global motorsport grid prepares for the remainder of the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin.
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