Lewis Hamilton aims to extend his Formula One career until the African Grand Prix in Rwanda, scheduled for the early 2030s. The seven-time world champion expressed his excitement about the race, which F1 officially confirmed last week after a 10-year agreement to host the event on a yet-to-be-constructed circuit in Bugesera, near Kigali.

Hamilton, currently contracted with Ferrari until the end of the 2027 season, stated, "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." He hopes to keep racing for at least another four years, emphasizing the importance of fitness and performance to achieve this goal.

Despite his enthusiasm, the announcement has faced criticism due to Rwanda's controversial human rights record. Felix Jakens, head of campaigns at Amnesty UK, labeled the agreement as "sportswashing," arguing that it serves to improve Rwanda's global image while ignoring serious human rights violations.

Hamilton, however, remains optimistic about the positive impact of hosting a Grand Prix in Africa. He believes it can foster greater awareness and education about the continent. "I think we really have to approach it with humility," he said, reflecting on the lack of education regarding Africa in Western curricula.

The race is backed by the Rwandan government and aims to boost economic growth through sports tourism. Hamilton hopes this event will spark discussions about Africa's history and its challenges, stating, "Hopefully many people start to educate themselves a little bit more of what is happening there."

In related news, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli heads into the US Grand Prix poised to clinch his first F1 title, holding a significant lead over teammate George Russell.