Melbourne, Australia – As Lewis Hamilton prepares for his 20th season in Formula 1, now racing with Ferrari, the seven-time world champion has outlined a compelling condition for his continued participation in the sport: a return to racing in Africa. The 41-year-old, who experienced a challenging 2025 season with a significant performance gap compared to teammate Charles Leclerc, is looking ahead with renewed focus and a clear ambition beyond simply competing for championships. Hamilton’s commitment hinges not on personal accolades, but on expanding the global reach of Formula 1 and fulfilling a deeply personal desire to race on the African continent.
Hamilton’s desire for a Grand Prix in Africa isn’t a new one. He’s been actively advocating for the inclusion of an African race for years, viewing it as a crucial step in making the sport more inclusive and representative of the world’s diverse fanbase. He’s expressed a strong emotional connection to the continent, having visited ten countries and feeling a profound affinity for its culture and landscapes. This isn’t simply about adding another race to the calendar; it’s about bringing the excitement and economic benefits of Formula 1 to a region that has been historically underserved.
The Ferrari driver revealed he has been working “in the background” for six or seven years to bring a Grand Prix to Africa, actively questioning those involved as to why the continent is consistently overlooked. “We sit down with those involved and ask them: ‘Why aren’t we in Africa? We’re on every other continent, why not in Africa?’” Hamilton stated, highlighting his persistent efforts to address the imbalance. Formula 1 hasn’t held a race in Africa since the 1993 South African Grand Prix, a gap of over three decades.
Hamilton has identified three African nations as potential hosts: Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa. He specifically praised Kenya and Rwanda as places where he felt he could envision living, describing both as “spectacular.” South Africa, he believes, would also be a strong contender as a destination for Formula 1 fans. “I liked Kenya and especially Rwanda the best so far, both were spectacular. I had the feeling that I could live there. South Africa is breathtaking, I experience they would be good travel destinations for us,” he explained.
Despite his ambition, Hamilton emphasized that his desire to continue racing isn’t solely dependent on the presence of an African Grand Prix. “I don’t want to give up motorsport just given that there’s a Grand Prix there without being able to drive there,” he clarified. “I’ll stay here for a while until that happens because that would be fantastic, especially because I’m half African.” This statement underscores his deep-rooted connection to the continent and his commitment to using his platform to advocate for its inclusion in the world of motorsport.
The upcoming season will be a crucial one for Hamilton as he adapts to his new team and the latest regulations. He acknowledged a disappointing 2025, where he was significantly outperformed by teammate Charles Leclerc, losing 18 to 3 in their head-to-head comparison. However, he expressed optimism about the progress made during testing in Bahrain and the positive atmosphere within the Ferrari team. ESPN reports that the new innovations from Ferrari have generated excitement ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc echoed Hamilton’s upbeat sentiment, downplaying any suggestion that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari represents a “reset” for the seven-time champion. Motorsport.com quotes Leclerc as saying Hamilton is simply “super excited” as they head into a season of new regulations. Hamilton himself described the feeling as “massively different” and “much nicer” than his first year with the team, emphasizing the strong team dynamic he’s building at Ferrari.
As Formula 1 prepares for the season opener in Melbourne, the focus extends beyond on-track performance. Hamilton’s advocacy for an African Grand Prix adds another layer of intrigue, highlighting the sport’s potential for growth and its responsibility to embrace inclusivity. The coming months will reveal whether Formula 1 can deliver on Hamilton’s vision and bring the thrill of racing to a continent eager to join the global motorsport community. The discussions surrounding a potential African race are ongoing, with F1 reportedly exploring several countries as potential hosts.
What remains to be seen is whether Hamilton’s commitment will translate into a tangible change within Formula 1. The logistical and economic challenges of hosting a Grand Prix in Africa are significant, but Hamilton’s unwavering dedication and influence could prove to be the catalyst needed to finally bring the sport back to the continent. Share your thoughts on Hamilton’s ambition and the future of Formula 1 in the comments below.
