Sports · Motorsport · 3 hrs ago
Hamilton says he may race into the 2030s but will not stay without pace
Lewis Hamilton says he can still compete with younger drivers as he considers how long to remain in Formula 1.
The seven-time world champion, who is 41, made the comments in Mexico City ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
He has not decided whether he will race into the 2030s, though he says he is committed to racing for the foreseeable future.
The question arose after Formula 1 announced a deal for a new race in Rwanda, expected in the early 2030s.
The race would mark Formula 1’s return to Africa for the first time since 1993.
Hamilton’s Ferrari contract runs through 2027, and his future after that is uncertain.
He says he will leave if his performance falls, and plans to use the final five races of 2026 to help prepare Ferrari’s car for next season.
Lewis Hamilton says he may still be racing in Formula 1 in the 2030s, but he has not decided whether he will continue that long.
The seven-time world champion says he can still compete with younger drivers and is committed to racing for the foreseeable future.
Hamilton says he does not want to remain in the sport if his performance declines.
His comments came as Formula 1 prepares to bring a race back to Africa, with Rwanda expected to host a Grand Prix in the early 2030s.
Hamilton’s Ferrari contract runs through the end of 2027, and his future beyond that is uncertain.
- Who
- Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion.
- What
- He says he could race into the 2030s but has not decided whether he wants to continue that long.
- When
- He made the comments on October 29, 2026, ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Where
- In Mexico City, where he spoke to media ahead of the Grand Prix.
- Why
- He was asked whether he might keep racing to compete in the planned African Grand Prix in Rwanda.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Formula 1 announced a deal for Rwanda to host a race in the early 2030s.
Ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Hamilton said he could not say whether he would still want to race in four years.
Hamilton is contracted to race for Ferrari.
Rwanda is expected to host a Formula 1 race at a new circuit near Kigali.
- Hamilton's age
- 41 in 2026
- World titles
- Seven
- Ferrari contract
- Through the end of the 2027 season
- Rwanda race timing
- Expected in the early 2030s
- Hamilton's championship position
- Third in the 2026 drivers' standings
4 sources
What people are saying
I can't say in four years whether I want to continue to do what I'm doing, but I love what I'm doing still now.
Whether or not I can compete at 44 with a 20-year-old, who knows? But at 41 I can compete with a 20-year-old.
But I never want to overstay my welcome in the sense of still not having the performance.