Hamilton aims to extend F1 career into 2030s for African Grand Prix
The seven-time champion says he wants to keep racing until Rwanda hosts the African Grand Prix in the early 2030s, despite criticism of the race as sportswashing.
At a glance
- Lewis Hamilton hopes to race in Formula One into the early 2030s to compete in the African Grand Prix in Rwanda.
- F1 has a 10-year deal for Rwanda to host the race on a new Bugesera circuit, but critics call it sportswashing over human rights.
- Freddie Slater will make his F1 practice debut for Audi in Mexico, and Kimi Antonelli can clinch the title this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton has said he hopes to keep racing in Formula One into the early 2030s so that he can take part in the African Grand Prix, which is set to be held in Rwanda. The seven-time world champion, who is 41, spoke before this weekend's United States Grand Prix and said he wanted to continue for at least another four years to reach the new race.
Last week Formula One confirmed a 10-year agreement for Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix on a purpose-built circuit. The first race is planned for the early 2030s at a circuit in Bugesera, about 25 miles south of Kigali, which has not yet been built. It would mark Formula One's return to Africa for the first time since a race at Kyalami in South Africa in 1993.
Hamilton, understood to be under contract with Ferrari until the end of the 2027 season, has long campaigned for a race in Africa. He said the African Grand Prix had forced him to extend his career, describing racing in Africa as his dream. He added that he would have to keep fighting to stay fit and that he would continue if he could still produce good results over the next year. If he races until 2030, Hamilton would be at least in his mid-40s. Formula One's current oldest driver is 45-year-old Fernando Alonso.
The race has drawn criticism because of Rwanda's human rights record. Amnesty UK's head of campaigns, Felix Jakens, called the 10-year Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, a sportswashing prize for the Rwandan authorities. He said Rwanda was buying into major sports to polish its image and deflect from its human rights record, and accused the authorities of arbitrary detention, torture and repression of free speech. Hamilton said he believed it was right for Formula One to hold the race there and that it could be a force for good in Africa. He said he had seen many of the stories about problems in the world but that people needed to approach the race with humility, and argued there should be more education about Africa, including in schools in England. He also said many problems in Africa were results of colonialism and Western intervention.
The race is backed by the Rwandan government and the Rwanda Development Board, which intend to develop the venue as a destination for motorsport and economic growth. Rwanda has recently invested in hosting sports events including cycling's road world championships, cricket's Women's Challenge Trophy, the 2023 Fifa congress and the Basketball Africa League.
Separately, Britain's 18-year-old Freddie Slater will make his Formula One free practice debut for Audi at next week's Mexico City Grand Prix. Audi entered Formula One this year after taking over Sauber, and Slater was the first driver signed to its new driver academy. He finished second in the Formula 3 standings to Ugo Ugochukwu in his debut season with Trident Motorsport and is set to move to Formula 2 with Invicta next year. Slater is also due to drive in first practice at next month's Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Audi racing director and academy director Allan McNish said it was the right time for Slater to step up and that the appearances would give him valuable experience.
At this weekend's US Grand Prix, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli can clinch his first Formula One title. The 20-year-old leads teammate George Russell by 102 points and would become Formula One's youngest world champion if he wins, Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton is fifth or lower.
Source: The Guardian World.
Questions and answers
- When and where will the African Grand Prix take place?
- Formula One confirmed a 10-year agreement for Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix. The first race is planned for the early 2030s on a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, about 25 miles south of Kigali.
- Will Lewis Hamilton race in the African Grand Prix?
- Hamilton, 41, says he hopes to keep racing into the early 2030s to take part. He is understood to be contracted with Ferrari until the end of the 2027 season.
- Why has the Rwanda race been criticised?
- Critics, including Amnesty UK, call it sportswashing because of Rwanda's human rights record. Hamilton says he believes the race can be a force for good in Africa.
