Lewis Hamilton aims to extend career till early 2030s so he can race in African Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton acredita que a corrida no Ruanda será uma força para o bem, em vez de sportswashing. Fotografia: Brett Farmer/LAT Images. Ver imagem em tela cheia.

• 41-year-old set on ‘dream to be able to race in Africa’.
• Rwanda to host despite criticism of human rights record.

53 EDTLast modified on Thu 22 Oct 2026 18. 33 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleLewis Hamilton has said he hopes to remain racing in Formula One until he can take part in the African Grand Prix which is set to take place in Rwanda in the 2030s.

The seven-time world champion believes it is right that F1 is to hold a race there despite criticism of the country’s human rights record.

Last week F1 confirmed Rwanda was to host the African Grand Prix having concluded a 10-year agreement for the meeting on a purpose-built circuit, with the first race set for the early 2030s.

Está programado para ser realizado em um circuito em Bugesera, a 25 milhas ao sul da capital, Kigali, que ainda não foi construído e marca um retorno ao continente africano pela primeira vez desde que a última corrida foi realizada em Kyalami, África do Sul, em 1993.

Read moreHamilton has been championing a race in Africa for some time. The 41-year-old is understood to be currently contracted with Ferrari until the end of the 2027 season, and speaking before this weekend’s US Grand Prix he said he would like to continue racing for at least another four years in order to make it to the meeting in Rwanda.

Hamilton teria pelo menos meados dos 40 anos se continuasse até 2030. O motorista mais velho da F1 atualmente é Fernando Alonso, de 45 anos.

F1’s deal with Rwanda is for a 10-year period but because of the country’s human rights record the award of the race has been criticised as an act of sportswashing.

ShowBritain’s 18-year-old Freddie Slater will make his Formula 1 free practice debut for ⁠Audi at next week’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

Audi entrou na Fórmula 1 este ano depois de assumir a equipe Sauber, e Slater foi o primeiro piloto assinado para a nova academia de pilotos da equipe.

Slater ⁠finished second in the Formula 3 standings to Ugo Ugochukwu in his debut season while ⁠racing for Trident Motorsport. He is slated to move ​to Formula 2 with Invicta ‌next year.

Getting behind the wheel of an F1 car at a grand prix weekend is a big moment for me and something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid," Slater said. “I’ve learned a ‌lot this year, and these Free practice outings with Audi F1 Team will be another opportunity ​to keep gaining on-track experience.

Slater também está previsto para dirigir na primeira sessão de treinos do Grande Prêmio de São Paulo do próximo mês.

Temos visto Freddie progredir muito nos últimos anos, tanto dentro quanto fora das pistas; é hora de Freddie dar um passo à frente," disse o diretor de corridas da Audi e diretor da academia Allan McNish, ex‑piloto da F1.

These ​appearances ​in Mexico and Brazil will give him valuable experience of a Formula 1 race weekend, and another chance to continue his development." Reuters.

Thank you for your feedback.“A 10-year grand prix ‘presented by Visit Rwanda’ is a sportswashing prize for the Rwandan authorities,” said Felix Jakens, Amnesty UK’s head of campaigns.

That rings hollow if F1 shrugs off who it is partnering with. Rwanda’s authorities are prolific in arbitrary detention, torture and the repression of free speech.”.

Ver imagem em tela cheia O investimento do Ruanda em patrocínio esportivo tem levado a acusações de que ele está tentando “sportswash” seu histórico de direitos humanos.

Fotografia: SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images Hamilton, no entanto, sentiu que a reunião serviria como uma força para o bem na África e que também deveria haver mais educação sobre o continente.

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The new race is being backed by the government of Rwanda and the Rwanda Development Board, who intend to develop the venue as a destination not only for motorsport but for promoting economic growth.

The country has recently invested heavily in hosting sporting events, including cycling’s road world championships, cricket’s Women’s Challenge Trophy, the 2023 Fifa congress and the Basketball Africa League.

Hamilton sentiu que, pelo menos, a corrida apresentaria uma oportunidade para as pessoas se interessarem mais pela África.

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli goes into this weekend’s US Grand Prix in a position to clinch his first F1 title. The 20-year-old holds a 102-point lead over his teammate George Russell and will become Formula One’s youngest world champion if he wins, Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton is fifth or lower.