Hamilton pledges to try to extend his career to race in the African Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton fans can look forward to the seven-time champion staying in Formula 1 for several more years. On Thursday, he pledged to try to emulate Fernando Alonso’s longevity and stay on the grid at least until the first African Grand Prix.

The organisers of the first African race since 1993 have yet to set a firm date for the continent’s return to the calendar. Everything will depend on how quickly a new circuit can be built. The aim, however, is to make it happen sometime after 2030. With Hamilton already 41, he would be 45 or 46 by the time the African Grand Prix takes place, even in the best-case scenario.

Lewis Hamilton appeared at the press conference alongside Kimi Antonelli, who will soon become F1’s youngest world champion. “I’m looking forward to racing with him longer, and we’ll see. I mean, I’m now forced to stay a lot longer because we have a race in Africa, and that’s been my dream, to be able to race in Africa,”

“So you’ve got to come,” replied Kimi Antonelli, and the Ferrari driver nodded: “So, yes, I have to keep fighting to try and stay fit. If I can still punch out good results over the next year, we’ll keep it going.”

Hamilton had already pledged some time ago that he would not leave Formula 1 until a race could be staged in Africa. At the time, however, he was probably hoping the venue would be South Africa’s Kyalami circuit, which would only need upgrading. Racing could take place at Kyalami sooner than in Rwanda, where construction has yet to begin.

“I’ve been advocating for a race in Africa for many, many years. Countless meetings with the stakeholders, so many meetings with Stefano at his office in London, but also on race weekends, countless calls: “What’s happening? Where are we going? Who are you meeting with?” Many meetings with different presidents from different countries. Lots of phone calls with different presidents from different countries within Africa,” Hamilton continued.

He was delighted by news of the agreement. In his view, Africa “deserves to have a Grand Prix”. “It’s about more than just one country. It’s about the continent itself, and there are so many beautiful countries within it. The people are so lovely. The culture is so rich, and I think it’s important that we get to show that to the world. We get to do that with our sport.”

“We get to go to all these different countries, and people see some of these countries they didn’t really know too much about. All of a sudden, it becomes something that’s on the screen, and kids are talking about it. They go to school talking about it. So, I’m really, really hopeful for that Grand Prix,” he concluded with a smile.