Lewis Hamilton does not want to retire from Formula 1 before a major milestone. The competitor commented that he will only say goodbye to the main category of motorsport when he finally returns to racing in Africa.
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This weekend marks the first round of the 2026 season at the Australian GP. After some logistical problems arriving due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, drivers and teams are already in Melbourne and are fulfilling the interview schedule.
During the press session, the Ferrari driver commented on F1’s return to the continent. The last time there was a race in Africa was in 1993 with the South African GP.
And more and more the seven-time world champion has been vocal and supported the return of the event. In fact, both South Africa and Rwanda are at the top of the list in the fight to host a GP, with the Kyalami circuit receiving FIA Grade 1 approval in 2025.
So, Hamilton does not want to leave Formula 1 before the return. “I’ve had the privilege… I’ve visited 10 countries in Africa. There’s still so much more to see. For the last six, maybe seven years, I’ve been fighting behind the scenes to get a Grand Prix, maybe even longer, talking to stakeholders and asking: why aren’t we in Africa?” he said.
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“There’s one [GP] on every continent, why not in Africa? I know they’re trying very hard. I think they’ve been to several different countries. The ones I liked most: I loved Kenya. I don’t think we’ll have a Grand Prix in Kenya, but Rwanda, in particular, was spectacular. Two places where I felt I could live. South Africa is stunning,” he continued.
“I think those are the places that would be good for us to potentially go. I don’t want to leave the sport without having a Grand Prix there, without being able to race there, so I’m keeping an eye on them: when is it going to be? They’re setting some dates, and I think: ‘Damn, I might be running out of time,’ so I’m going to stick around for a while until that happens, because it would be incredible, considering I’m half African. I have roots in a few different places there, like Togo and Benin,” he added.
“I visited Benin last year, Senegal and Nigeria. It’s something I’m very proud of. I’m very proud of that part of the world. I think it’s the most beautiful part of the world, and I don’t like that the rest of the world appropriates so much of it and takes so much from it without anyone talking about it,” he concluded.
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