Lewis Hamilton forgets eighth F1 title as Mercedes star names one retirement condition

Lewis Hamilton has been on the cusp of an eighth world title for several years but his major desire before retiring is to see the return of a famous circuit to the calendar

Lewis Hamilton admits he is determined to get the South African Grand Prix back on the calendar before he retires.

The Mercedes star has committed his short-term future to the Silver Arrows as he approaches 40 with the elusive eighth world title within his sights. Hamilton has struggled for competitiveness in recent seasons but his ultimate aim looks to be a return to Kyalami.

The 2.8 mile circuit last hosted an F1 race in 1993, which saw Alain Prost win for Williams en route to his fourth and final world title. Since then though South Africa – and the continent of Africa as a whole – has been without a race on the calendar.

Before the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton was speaking to fans in the fan area when he said, “I’m working in the background to get South Africa on the race.” I see that as something out of a dream. I must remain until they obtain that race.

The Brit has long looked to expand the sport’s fanbase and has attempted to make good of his status as F1’s only black driver. His desire to return to South Africa is nothing new with Hamilton speaking of his motivation eight years ago.

In 2015 he told the BBC : “I would love for it to be in South Africa. They are great sporting fans and are just petrolheads who love cars. I would love to go there, it would be absolutely insane. There is a huge following there and it is one of the most important Grands Prix we need to get on the calendar.

“This is the first time that black South Africans have had someone to relate to in this sport. I feel incredibly privileged to be at the front of that.”

The F1 calendar continues to grow and reaches every continent but Africa. The likes of Saudi Arabia, America and the Netherlands have seen races added to the calendar. Zandvoort, the Dutch track, recently returned after years without being used by F1.

F1 has used Kyalami 21 times in the past, and while executives have talked about a possible comeback, no agreement has been reached as there are calls for the calendar to be shortened rather than extended. In 1967, the sport made its debut on the South African circuit, where Pedro Rodriguez won the championship.

There have also been victories there by other legends like Gilles Villeneuve, Sir Jackie Stewart, and Jim Clark. Because of the South African government’s position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Formula One Championship announced in 2023 that the South African Grand Prix would not be held again in the near future.