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Hamilton reiterates African GP call as South Africa pursues its own race

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-11GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

Hamilton has repeated his call for a Formula 1 race in Africa. South African minister Gayton McKenzie welcomed Rwanda’s reported 2030 bid but said South Africa would still secure a Grand Prix of its own.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Lewis Hamilton has reiterated his call for Formula 1 to stage a Grand Prix in Africa, while South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie welcomed Rwanda’s reported 2030 bid and said South Africa would still secure a race of its own.

Hamilton described Africa as the most important and most beautiful continent to him. He has spent years lobbying F1 executives for a race and has previously said he would delay retirement until the sport committed to an African return.

Motorsport.com reported that F1 was working to finalize a deal for a race in Rwanda by the 2030 season. McKenzie said Rwanda had pursued its bid longer than South Africa and deserved the opportunity.

McKenzie also argued that Africa should have more than one Grand Prix, and promised South Africa would still secure a race, potentially even before Rwanda’s planned 2030 launch.

Formula 1 has not staged a race on the African continent since 1993.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCELewis Hamilton celebrates breakthrough in push for African Grand PrixMotorsport.com F1