Lewis Hamilton Makes Pledge On His Future In Formula 1

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 11:42 AM ET

At 41 years of age, Ferrari F1 driver Lewis Hamilton is naturally thinking about what the end of his legendary Formula One racing career will look like. But in a recent interview, he revealed that he's made a special pledge to keep him in the sport.

Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix this weekend which will kick off the 2026 F1 season, Hamilton pledged that he would not even consider retiring until he achieves one thing. He wants to bring Formula One racing to Africa.

"I don't want to - I refuse to, kind of - I don't want to leave the sport without having a Grand Prix there, without getting to race there," Hamilton said, via TMZ.

"So I'm going to be here for a while until that happens, because that would be amazing, given that I'm half African."

"It's something I'm really proud of, that part of the world, I think it's the most beautiful part of the world.”

Lewis Hamilton Won't Retire Until F1 Returns To Africa | Click to read more https://t.co/p83ynFLU8k pic.twitter.com/aOcgp1PyFj
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) March 5, 2026

Hamilton's desire to see Formula One back in Africa for the first time in over 30 years was part of a larger movement to see Africans "take back" their culture and heritage from European powers. He explained that he has roots in Africa and believes the continent would benefit from greater unity.

"I've got roots from a few different places there, like Togo and Benin. I'm really proud of that part of the world," Hamilton explained.

"I think it is the most beautiful part of the world, and I don't like that the rest of the world owns so much of it and takes so much from it and no one speaks about it. I'm really hoping that the people that are running those different countries all unite and come together and take Africa back.

"That's what I want to see. Take it back from the French, take it back from the Spanish, take it back from the Portuguese and the British. It's so important for the future of that continent. They have all the resources to be the greatest and most powerful place in the world, and that's probably why they are being controlled the way they are."

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 04, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

The last time a Formula One race was held in Africa was 1993's South African Grand Prix. Morocco (1958) is the only other country in the continent to host a Formula One race.

But Hamilton might get his wish sooner than expected. There are reports that several nations in Africa, including South Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda are making strong pushes to get approved bids for F1 races.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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