Lewis Hamilton backed to still be on F1 grid in 2030 and fulfil Africa dream

Lewis Hamilton has what it takes to still be racing in Formula 1 in 2030.

That's the verdict of a RacingNews365 poll regarding the seven-time F1 champion's longevity in the sport, and whether he will be around at the start of the next decade when an African GP draws near.

Of those who took part, 47.89 per cent backed Hamilton to still be on the grid in four years, while 26.84 per cent said it was too early to tell, pointing to 2027 and 2028 as the seasons that will make things clearer. The remaining 25.26 per cent felt Hamilton should not be targeting a career that long.

The poll follows weeks of Hamilton himself fuelling speculation about extending his Ferrari career, with the Briton's current deal running through 2027 and reports suggesting it carries options into 2028. Hamilton has pointed to Formula 1's planned return to Africa, via a prospective Rwanda race, as a personal motivation to keep going.

"I'm now forced to have to stay longer because we have a race in Africa; that's been my dream to be able to race in Africa," Hamilton said after a race in Rwanda was confirmed recently.

"I have to keep fighting to try and stay fit if I can. If I can still punch out good results over the next year, we'll keep it going."

Hamilton also pushed back on suggestions that age will inevitably slow him down, indicating he feels uniquely placed among his peers.

"You've never had anyone like me here in the 70 years [of F1]," said Hamilton. "I feel that I'm built differently. There have been so many preconceived ideas about the fact that your reaction time drops off.

"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. So time will tell."