Overview
- Lewis Hamilton set a public retirement condition, saying he will not leave Formula 1 until he races a Grand Prix on the African continent after six to seven years of private lobbying.
- He urged African leaders to “take Africa back” from former colonial powers including France, Spain, Portugal and Britain, framing his campaign as both sporting and political.
- Hamilton cited Rwanda and South Africa as leading options for a race and praised Kenya while noting it is unlikely to host.
- Reporting across outlets says no African round is currently on the calendar and chances before the end of the decade are low, with Rwanda’s prospects receding and South Africa talks at Kyalami or in Cape Town having stalled; the last African GP was Kyalami in 1993.
- Entering his 20th season and second with Ferrari, Hamilton said he has rediscovered himself after a difficult year and feels more settled with the team.