Hamilton, Verstappen and Russell Are All In on the Rwanda GP Rumours
As the details around Africa’s return to the calendar pick up pace, the three drivers speak with rare unanimity — and the calendar puzzle explains why 2030 is the logical moment.
When three of the paddock’s most different voices — Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and George Russell — say the same thing about the same place, it’s worth paying attention. All three expressed excitement over the growing speculation that Rwanda is on course to host a Formula 1 race, returning Africa to the calendar for the first time since the 1993 South African Grand Prix.
Hamilton: a cause, not just a rumour
For the seven-time champion, the topic isn’t new. “I haven’t really got any news for you. I saw something on people posting online, but I’ve always said that we need to have a Grand Prix in Africa,” Hamilton said. “It is, for me, the most important continent, the most beautiful continent, to be honest. We’re on all the other continents but that one and there should be no reason for it.”
“It is something I’ve been pushing for in the background, and Stefano has been amazing. He’s flown to Africa so many times over the last couple of years, speaking to lots and lots of different people.”
Verstappen and Russell join in
Russell matches the enthusiasm: “I would be very excited if these rumours were to come true. I was in Africa earlier this year and I really, really loved my time there. Formula 1 is a worldwide sport. Africa is the only continent we don’t race on, and it’s about time we had a race there.”
Verstappen, characteristically more sparing with words, doesn’t hide his position either: “For sure, if that’s possible, it would be great. We want to race in a lot of different places in the world… I’ve been once to Rwanda. We have to wait to see if it’s all going to go through, but I think we’re all very excited if that would happen.”
Why now is the logical moment
Behind the enthusiasm sits fairly pragmatic calendar arithmetic. Formula 1 already has a confirmed 24-race schedule for 2027, but several circuit deals expire before 2030: Portugal returns in 2027 on just a two-year deal, Mexico and Singapore are only confirmed through 2028, and the Japanese Grand Prix runs only to 2029. With that many slots opening up at roughly the same time, 2030 looks less like an optimistic target and more like an inevitable one for Rwanda’s debut.
While the official announcement is expected as soon as next week, the unanimity among three such different drivers says something on its own: it’s rare for Hamilton, Verstappen and Russell to agree on anything off the track — let alone this easily.
