Lewis Hamilton Makes Bold Retirement Promise Over...read more

Hamilton Determined to Continue Racing Until Formula 1 Reaches Africa

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion has revealed that he has no plans to retire from the sport until Formula 1 finally hosts a race on African soil.

The 2026 season currently features a busy schedule of 24 races, with the championship continuing to expand globally under the ownership of and the governance of the (FIA). The calendar also includes six sprint events, with discussions underway about possibly increasing the number of shorter races following positive fan response.

Despite the already crowded schedule, several countries are pushing to join the Formula 1 calendar. Among the most talked-about possibilities is the return of a race to Africa—an idea Hamilton has strongly supported for years.

Hamilton pushing for African Grand Prix

Speaking ahead of the season-opening during an FIA press conference, Hamilton reiterated his desire to compete in a Grand Prix on the African continent before ending his career.

The British driver explained that he has been working behind the scenes for several years, engaging with key stakeholders and questioning why Africa remains the only inhabited continent without a race on the Formula 1 calendar.

Hamilton also shared his admiration for several African countries he has visited, highlighting Rwanda and South Africa as locations that could potentially host a race in the future.

Hopes of an F1 return to Kyalami

The last time Formula 1 raced in Africa was at the , held at the historic in . The venue previously hosted races from 1967 to 1985 before briefly returning to the calendar in the early 1990s.

Recent upgrades to the circuit have brought it closer to meeting the FIA’s modern Grade 1 standards, raising hopes that it could once again host a Formula 1 race.

For Hamilton, the idea of racing in Africa carries special meaning. The 41-year-old has proudly spoken about his African heritage, with ancestral connections to countries such as , , and .

Although he admits that time is not on his side, Hamilton remains determined to stay in the sport long enough to experience a Grand Prix on the continent.

He emphasized that competing in Africa would be a historic moment not only for his career but also for the future of Formula 1.