Because Lewis Hamilton is determined to compete in the first African Grand Prix, he will have to extend his career significantly: the Rwanda race will take place when he is 45 at the earliest
Lewis Hamilton had actually announced a few years ago that he did not intend to be racing in Formula 1 beyond the age of 40. As we know, that prediction did not come to pass, but the seven-time world champion may well have to stay in Formula 1 for quite some time yet to fulfil a dream: to compete in a Grand Prix in Africa.
This is now actually becoming a realistic possibility: a few days ago, Formula 1 announced a race in Rwanda – the first race on the African continent since 1993.
“I mean, I’m practically forced to stay much longer now because we’ve got a race in Africa,” said Hamilton in Austin. “And that’s always been my dream: to be able to race in Africa.”
However, the exact timing is still to be confirmed: the only certainty is that the race is due to take place for the first time “in the early 2030s”. If this were to happen in 2030 exactly, Hamilton would already be 45 years old – the same age as his former team-mate Fernando Alonso is now.
“I mean, I’ll have to keep fighting to stay fit. And if I can still achieve good results over the next few years, we’ll simply carry on,” he announces, expressing his intention to remain in the sport until Rwanda’s debut.
Hamilton has long been an advocate for a Grand Prix in Africa and has emphasised in the past that he has been heavily involved behind the scenes.
“ “I’ve been campaigning for a race in Africa for many, many, many years. There have been countless meetings with the decision-makers, so many meetings with Stefano in his office in London, but also at race weekends. Countless phone calls: ‘What’s happening right now? Where are we heading? Who are you talking to?’”
“ “There were many meetings with various presidents from different countries and numerous telephone calls with various heads of state in Africa,” said the Ferrari driver.
“I think it’s a place that simply deserves a Grand Prix. It’s about more than just a single country. It’s about the continent itself – there are so many beautiful countries there and the people are so warm-hearted. The culture is so rich, and I think it’s important that we can show that to the world and have the opportunity to do so through our sport.”
“We travel to all these different countries, and people see places they didn’t really know much about before. Suddenly it’s on the screen, and the children are talking about it at school. That’s why I’m really, really hoping for this Grand Prix.”
For Hamilton, the prospect of a race in Africa is certainly motivation enough not to hang up his helmet just yet.