F1 | Lewis Hamilton rules out early F1 exit: wants to race until Africa joins the calendar. Lewis Hamilton confirms he will not retire early from F1 at the 2026 Australian GP.

F1 | Australian GP: Lewis Hamilton not retiring yet, promises until Africa hosts a Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has dismissed any rumors of an early retirement during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, confirming that the Ferrari driver intends to continue racing — at least until a very specific moment occurs. The British star, in his second season with Scuderia Ferrari, emphasized that he still feels “young and fresh” and has no plans to stop. His continued participation, he says, will last at least until Formula 1 makes an important decision about its future: the arrival of a new continent on the calendar.

Now in his second season at Maranello, expectations for Lewis Hamilton are higher than ever. The seven-time world champion will need to leave last season’s setbacks behind, regain peak performance, and with a promising SF-26 so far, aim for podiums and victories. It is a challenge the Briton is more than capable of handling, as he seeks further confirmation of his competitive edge and charts a future still full of potential.

While rumors about his dissatisfaction increased toward the end of 2025, Lewis Hamilton appears to have regained his smile. From the Australian Grand Prix press conference, he seems to make a promise to his fans: he will not leave Formula 1 before Africa returns to the F1 calendar.

Hamilton: “We’re working behind the scenes to bring a Grand Prix to Africa”

“I’ve already been to ten countries in Africa,” Lewis Hamilton explained, “and there is still so much I want to see. Over the past six, maybe seven years, I’ve been working behind the scenes to try to bring a Grand Prix there, meeting stakeholders and asking the question: why aren’t we in Africa? Every other continent has a race, why not Africa? I know they’re really trying.”

“I believe they’ve considered several countries. I don’t want to leave this sport without a Grand Prix there, without being able to race there. When will it happen? They are setting some possible dates, and I think: wow, time might not be enough. So I’ll stay here for a little longer until it happens, because it would be amazing, especially considering that I am half African.”

For Lewis Hamilton, the motivation to continue racing is deeply personal, tied not only to his passion for Formula 1 but also to his heritage. Bringing a Grand Prix to Africa is not just a career milestone; it is a way to inspire the next generation of fans and drivers across the continent.

As the 2026 season kicks off in Australia, Lewis Hamilton’s determination to remain in the sport until Africa joins the F1 calendar is a clear signal of his enduring commitment, both to Ferrari and to the global expansion of Formula 1.