As Crash.net reports, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has joked that he will be forced to extend his Formula 1 career into his mid-forties to fulfill his dream of racing in Africa. The iconic driver has got his big wish following the recent announcement that the world championship is reviving the African Grand Prix as part of a 10-year deal with Rwanda.
Formula 1 has not visited the continent since the 1993 South African Grand Prix. Hamilton has been leading calls for the sport to return to Africa, expressing his strong desire to compete there before he eventually hangs up his helmet.
With no specific date set yet, the event is scheduled to join the calendar at some point in the early 2030s. That timeline means Hamilton will be at least 45 years old by the time the African Grand Prix finally takes place.
“I’m looking forward to racing with him longer and we’ll see about, I mean, I’m now forced to have 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 joked ahead of the United States Grand Prix. After Andrea Kimi Antonelli interjected to say that he had to come, the Ferrari driver responded: “So, yeah, I mean, I have to keep fighting to try and stay fit if I can, if I can still punch out good results over the next year, we’ll keep it going.”
The veteran driver detailed how he has been constantly nagging leading Formula 1 officials, including CEO Stefano Domenicali, to secure a race on the continent for years. His lobbying included countless meetings at Domenicali's office in London as well as during race weekends, alongside endless calls and meetings with different presidents from various African countries.
“For me it’s a place that deserves to have a grand prix. It’s [about] more than just one country, it is about the continent in itself and there’s so many beautiful countries within it and the people are so lovely,” Hamilton explained, adding that he is immensely hopeful for the impact the event will have on showcasing the rich culture to the world.
