Lewis Hamilton plans to race until 2031 for African Grand Prix

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 23:08 · Archive

Lewis Hamilton says he will continue racing in Formula One until at least 2031 to compete in the African Grand Prix planned for Rwanda.

Lewis Hamilton has said he will continue racing in Formula One until at least 2031 to compete in the African Grand Prix planned for Rwanda. The seven-time world champion, currently 41, would be in his mid-40s by then. The race is set to be held on a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, 25 miles south of the capital, Kigali, which has yet to be constructed. Formula One confirmed the agreement last week, concluding a 10-year deal for the meeting. It marks the first African Grand Prix since Kyalami, South Africa, in 1993.

Hamilton told reporters ahead of this weekend's US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas that he is 'forced to stay a bit longer' because of the African race. 'I'm now forced to stay a bit longer because we have a race in Africa and that has been my dream to race in Africa,' he said. 'So, I'm going to have to keep fighting to stay fit. If I can keep punching out results over the next years, we will keep it going.' The Guardian reports that Hamilton also stated he believes it is right that Formula One is to hold a race in Rwanda despite criticism of the country's human rights record.

Hamilton is understood to be currently contracted with Ferrari until the end of 2027. The exact year the race will start is set to be 2031 but may be delayed by a year depending on how the development of the circuit progresses.

How it is being reported

• Lewis Hamilton aims to extend career till early 2030s so he can race in African Grand Prix41-year-old set on ‘dream to be able to race in Africa’ Rwanda to host despite criticism of human rights record Lewis Hamilton has said he hopes to remain racing in Formula One until he can take part in the African Grand Prix which is set to take place in Rwanda in the 2030s , with the seven-time world champion also stating he believes it is right that F1 is to hold a race there despite criticism of the country’s human rights record. Last week F1 confirmed Rwanda was to host the African Grand Prix having concluded a 10-year agreement for the meeting on a purpose-built circuit, with the first…The Guardian · 22 Oct, 22:53
• Lewis Hamilton vows to carry on in F1 until he's 46: Seven-time world champion says he's been forced to stay because of planned race in AfricaJONATHAN McEVOY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS: Lewis Hamilton has vowed to carry on racing in Formula One until at least 2031 to complete a long-desired ambition to compete in Africa.Daily Mail Sport · 22 Oct, 22:18

In this story: Lewis Hamilton · Formula One · Rwanda · Ferrari · Kigali

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