Lewis Hamilton, the 41-year-old seven-time Formula One champion, said he hopes to extend his racing career into the early 2030s so he can compete in the African Grand Prix that promoters have agreed to stage in Rwanda.
F1 last week confirmed a 10-year agreement for a race in Rwanda on a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, about 25 miles south of the capital, Kigali, with the inaugural event pencilled for the early 2030s. The proposed meeting would mark the first Formula One race on the African continent since Kyalami in South Africa in 1993.
Hamilton said it was his "dream" to race on the continent and that he believed it was right for the sport to hold a race in Rwanda despite public criticism of the country's human rights record. He has previously spoken about the importance of expanding F1's global reach, and his comments underline his intention to remain competitive long enough to take part in the planned event.
The Bugesera circuit has yet to be built, and organisers and F1 will need to complete construction and preparations before the race can proceed. The announcement of the 10-year deal has already prompted debate about the balance between sporting expansion and scrutiny of host nations' records, a conversation that is likely to continue as plans move forward.
For Hamilton, who remains one of the sport's most high-profile figures, the prospect of a return to Africa carries personal and sporting significance. For Formula One, the Rwanda agreement represents a strategic push to broaden its calendar geographically and rekindle a presence on a continent it has not visited in three decades.
Officials and teams will now face the task of turning the long-term agreement and circuit plans into reality, while observers and rights groups monitor how the decision aligns with broader concerns around host nations. For now, Hamilton's stated ambition adds a prominent voice in favour of bringing F1 back to Africa.