Hamilton: Rwanda race motivating me to keep going

The Ferrari driver will turn 42 in January 2027, as he continues his search for an elusive eighth drivers title. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Describing the Rwanda race in 2030 a dream come true moment, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton reckoned the sport’s return to Africa has increased his motivation to keep going.

The Ferrari driver will turn 42 in January 2027, as he continues his search for an elusive eighth drivers title.

“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,” Hamilton said at the US ⁠Grand Prix on Thursday in a press conference alongside championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

“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.”

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Hamilton has long advocated for a race in Africa, and revealed its something he had discussed in length with CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“Countless meetings with the stakeholders, so many meetings with (F1 CEO) Stefano (Domenicali) ⁠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,” he recalled. “I think for me, it’s a place that deserves to have a grand prix. It’s about more than just one country. It’s about the continent itself.”

F1 has not held a race in Africa since the South African Grand Prix in 1993. Hamilton also said the race will help bring focus back to a part of the world that has long been turmoiled by instability and human rights violations.

“Of course, I don’t get to choose where we go. Naturally, there ⁠are problems all over the world today, so I’ve seen many of the stories. ⁠But I think we really have to approach it with humility,” Hamilton said.

“Of course, going there doesn’t mean that you neglect the things ‌that are happening there. So hopefully many people start to educate themselves a little bit more about what is happening there and what has ​happened there for hundreds of years. I hope that does spark the conversation,” he added.