Formula 1 is planning its return to Africa in Rwanda: Lewis Hamilton is delighted, but one crucial factor could jeopardise his personal dream
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton welcomes the announced return of Formula 1 to Africa. Hamilton said: “I’ve always said that we need a Grand Prix in Africa. For me, it’s the most important continent and the most beautiful continent.”
This is because Hamilton describes himself as “half African” and, in 2025, undertook an extensive tour of several African countries to trace his “family roots”, including in Benin. His paternal grandparents once emigrated from the Caribbean island of Grenada to the UK, where Hamilton grew up in Stevenage, north of London.
However, it is uncertain whether the 41-year-old Hamilton will still be racing in Formula 1 when the series returns to Africa for the first time since 1993. Hamilton himself stated in March 2026: “I don’t want to retire without there having been a Grand Prix there, without having raced there.” At the time, however, he had felt that “time was running out”, according to Hamilton.
There is still no certainty regarding the plans: the new African Grand Prix is due to be held “from the 2030s onwards”. The circuit for it does not yet exist: it is due to be built near Kigali in Rwanda in the coming years. Formula 1 architect Hermann Tilke and former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz are involved in the planning.
How Lewis Hamilton campaigned for an African race
In recent years, Hamilton has campaigned vigorously for a Grand Prix in the “motherland”, as he refers to the African continent. He has repeatedly said: “It would be great to have a race in Africa.”
In fact, Formula 1 had been striving for an African comeback for years, although South Africa – with the former Grand Prix venue of Kyalami – was usually the focus of discussions. A street race in Cape Town was also repeatedly mooted. Ultimately, however, all plans in South Africa fell through, so Rwanda came into the picture – and was awarded the contract.
Hamilton expressed his enthusiasm for Rwanda: he described the country as “particularly spectacular” and a place “where I could imagine living”, Hamilton said. The Ferrari driver currently lives – like many of his fellow Formula 1 drivers – in Monaco.