Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he does not intend to retire from the sport until he has the opportunity to race in a Formula 1 Grand Prix on African soil.
The British racing icon, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1, said competing in Africa has become a personal mission for him and a goal he hopes the sport will achieve before he eventually steps away from racing.
Hamilton disclosed that he has been advocating for the return of Formula 1 to Africa for several years, urging the sport’s leadership to expand the championship calendar to include a race on the continent.
According to him, discussions about hosting a Grand Prix in Africa have been ongoing, but the process has taken longer than expected.
“I don’t want to leave the sport without having a Grand Prix there, without getting to race there,” Hamilton said while speaking about the issue.
The driver explained that he has consistently raised the matter with Formula 1 authorities over the past six to seven years, pushing for stronger efforts to make the race a reality.
“I’m chasing them — when is it going to be?” Hamilton said. “They’re setting certain dates. I’m like, damn, I could be running out of time.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the timeline, Hamilton suggested that the possibility of racing in Africa is strong motivation for him to remain active in the sport for longer.
“So I’m going to be here for a while until that happens,” he added. “That would be amazing, given that I’m half-African.”
Hamilton’s connection to Africa is rooted in his family background. The Formula 1 star was born in Stevenage, England, to a father of Afro-Caribbean heritage and a white British mother.
Throughout his career, he has frequently spoken about the importance of diversity, representation and inclusion in motorsport, a field historically dominated by drivers from Europe.
As the first Black driver to compete in Formula 1, Hamilton has used his platform to advocate for greater opportunities for underrepresented communities within the sport.
He believes that introducing a Grand Prix in Africa would not only expand the global reach of Formula 1 but also inspire a new generation of drivers, engineers and motorsport professionals across the continent.
Africa remains the only inhabited continent currently absent from the Formula 1 race calendar.
In recent years, the championship has expanded into several new regions, including the Middle East and parts of Asia, while also increasing its presence in North America.
However, despite the sport’s growing international footprint, Africa has yet to secure a confirmed race in the modern Formula 1 era.
Hamilton acknowledged that Formula 1 executives appear interested in bringing the sport back to the continent, but concrete plans have yet to materialise.
According to the driver, discussions have been ongoing, and several countries have previously explored the possibility of hosting a race.
“I know that they’re really trying,” Hamilton said.
One of the most widely discussed possibilities in recent years involved a return to South Africa, particularly at the historic Kyalami circuit near Johannesburg.
Kyalami previously hosted Formula 1 races between 1967 and 1985, and again in 1992 and 1993.
The circuit was once a prominent fixture on the Formula 1 calendar and hosted several memorable races before the championship left the continent more than three decades ago.
There have also been proposals for a potential street circuit in Cape Town, which supporters hoped could bring Formula 1 back to South Africa in a modern format.
However, those discussions have not yet resulted in a confirmed race.
More recently, Rwanda emerged as another country exploring the possibility of hosting a Formula 1 event.
Although the idea attracted attention within the motorsport community, the prospect has since faded, leaving Africa still without representation on the championship calendar.
For Hamilton, the absence of an African Grand Prix remains a significant gap in the global reach of the sport.
Beyond motorsport, the British driver has also spoken about broader issues affecting Africa’s development and its place in the global economy.
Hamilton has often expressed admiration for the continent, describing it as one of the most beautiful and resource-rich regions in the world.
At the same time, he has criticised what he believes is the continued economic exploitation of African nations by wealthier countries, including former colonial powers.
“It is the most beautiful part of the world,” Hamilton said.
“I don’t like that the rest of the world owns so much of it and takes so much from it and no one speaks about it.”
The Formula 1 champion also shared his belief that African nations possess the resources and potential to become one of the most powerful regions globally if those resources are managed effectively.
He expressed hope that African countries will increasingly work together to strengthen their economic independence and development.
“It’s so important for the future of that continent,” Hamilton said.
“They have all the resources to be the greatest and most powerful place in the world.”
Hamilton’s comments reflect a long-standing commitment to using his global platform to raise awareness about social issues beyond sport.
Over the years, he has supported initiatives promoting diversity in motorsport, environmental sustainability and educational opportunities for young people.
In 2020, Hamilton also established the Hamilton Commission, a research initiative aimed at increasing representation of Black people in UK motorsport.
For many fans across Africa, the prospect of a Formula 1 race on the continent would represent a historic moment for the sport.
Such an event could also provide significant economic benefits, including tourism growth, infrastructure development and increased international visibility.
Several analysts believe that if Formula 1 eventually returns to Africa, it could help inspire a new wave of motorsport interest among young people across the continent.
For Hamilton, however, the motivation goes beyond business or global expansion.
Racing in Africa would represent a deeply personal milestone — one that connects his heritage, his career and his vision for a more inclusive future in motorsport.
Until that opportunity becomes reality, the legendary driver says his journey in Formula 1 will remain unfinished.
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