F1 has never had anyone like me – Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton says he is unlike any driver Formula 1 has had before and intends to keep racing for the foreseeable future, potentially into his mid-forties. He hopes to compete in the sport’s planned return to Africa, while stressing that he will reconsider if his performance declines.
Hamilton, 41, would be at least 45 when Rwanda’s 10-year deal to host a Grand Prix begins in the early 2030s; the continent has not held a race since 1993. The Ferrari driver said his reaction time remains competitive and pointed to a stronger campaign after a difficult first season with the team, including his Barcelona-Catalunya victory in June. He is among five drivers vying to finish second behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli.
In short
- Hamilton says he is a special case in F1.
- He hopes to race in Rwanda in the 2030s.
- He will continue while he can perform at a high level.
Explained simply
Formula 1, or F1, is the top international series of single-seat motor racing. Drivers compete for teams in races called Grands Prix, and a season-long points system decides the championships for drivers and teams.
Lewis Hamilton is a British driver who has won the drivers’ championship seven times, the joint most in F1 history. He now races for Ferrari, one of the sport’s oldest and best-known teams; before joining, he spent many years with Mercedes.
F1 drivers often retire before their mid-forties, as the sport demands quick reactions and sustained performance. A return to Africa would be significant because the continent has not hosted a Grand Prix since 1993, while Rwanda is planning to host one in the early 2030s.