Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton backs Africa as F1’s next global stage

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has reignited his campaign to bring the F1 circus back to Africa , emphasizing that he does not want to retire without racing on the continent.

F1 last visited Africa in 1993 at the iconic Kyalami circuit near Johannesburg, where Alain Prost clinched the championship for Williams. After that season, the track fell off the calendar and struggled to meet modern F1 standards . Plans are now underway to upgrade Kyalami to the FIA’s Grade One standard, making it eligible to host a grand prix once again. The circuit has been given three years to complete renovations, but Hamilton is pushing for an accelerated timeline .

“For the past six, maybe seven years, I’ve been working behind the scenes to get a grand prix here ,” Hamilton said. “Sitting with stakeholders, I’ve asked, why not Africa? There’s one on every other continent, so why not here?”

While Kyalami is the most viable option, Hamilton has also praised other African locations. Rwanda , with its dramatic landscapes, could host a spectacular race but is unlikely to be ready before 2029 due to regional instability . Kenya offers breathtaking scenery and strong motorsport interest, though infrastructure challenges remain. Other countries with the wealth and facilities to support F1, such as Morocco , Egypt , and parts of South Africa , are also being explored as potential future venues.

Hamilton added, “Kenya was incredible, Rwanda spectacular, and South Africa stunning. These are places I could see us racing and even living.”

With Kyalami upgrades underway and several other potential African venues in discussion, the continent may soon rejoin the global F1 stage after more than 30 years, offering fans a long-awaited return to a region rich in racing heritage .