Hamilton Says He Is ‘Built Differently’ as He Eyes African Grand Prix in 2030s

Lewis Hamilton, the seven‑time world champion, told reporters before the Mexico Grand Prix that he feels “built differently” and intends to keep racing into his mid‑forties. He highlighted his ambition to race in Africa – a continent that will host its first Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1993 when a ten‑year deal with Rwanda takes effect in the early 2030s.

Key points

• Age and ambition – Hamilton will be at least 45 when the Rwandan race occurs, the same age as fellow veteran Fernando Alonso, who also plans to stay on the grid.
• Performance claim – He said his reaction time in the latest race was faster than many younger drivers, underscoring his belief that he remains competitive.
• Championship fight – Currently third in the drivers’ standings, Hamilton is one point behind George Russell and five ahead of Max Verstappen.
• Recent results – He secured a win at the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix in June, marking a stronger season with Ferrari after a difficult debut year.
• Uncertainty – Hamilton admitted he cannot predict his future beyond the next few years, but he is “all in” for the foreseeable future.

Practical implications

• Fans can watch for official updates from Formula 1 and the Rwandan motorsport authority about the exact race date and venue.
• Teams may need to consider driver fitness and contract extensions as veterans like Hamilton and Alonso push the age envelope.
• Media should verify any new statements by checking the post‑conference transcript released by the FIA and the official Ferrari communications.

*All statements are attributed to Hamilton’s pre‑race press conference and publicly available championship standings.*