‘My 400th Race, Which Is Kinda Nuts’: Lewis Hamilton Sets Tall Target for Milestone Race at Brazilian GP

Lewis Hamilton has set a goal to win the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix to mark what will be the 400th F1 race of his career. The Scuderia Ferrari driver reflected on this upcoming milestone, saying that it is surreal that he has been able to get to this number.

“Unfortunately because there is a short turnaround, I don’t get to go and travel around Brazil, regretfully. But I am looking forward to getting to Sao Paulo. It’s my 400th race there, which is kinda nuts,” Hamilton told the media in Mexico on Thursday.

“I remember there was a point when I was embarking on 300 [races], and everyone was like, ‘Once you get to 300 you can never win.’ And I won in my 300th [race]. So, I guess my goal will be to work on winning in my 400th [race],” he added.

Notably, Hamilton actually did not win his 300th F1 race. The Briton reached this milestone at the 2022 French Grand Prix, a race won by Max Verstappen, while he finished second. But Hamilton did claim victory in his 200th race, which was the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix, where he won from pole.

But before he can get to the 400th race, Hamilton has the Mexican Grand Prix to worry about. The 41-year-old arrives in Mexico City third in the Drivers’ Standings and needs to win the race and hope Kimi Antonelli finishes 10th or lower to continue being in contention for the title. Any other result for him will make sure he is knocked out of the race.

Lewis Hamilton Outlines Objectives for the Mexican Grand Prix and Beyond

Hamilton said the final five races of the 2026 F1 season are like ‘test races’ for him and Ferrari. He revealed that he has already shifted his focus to the 2027 car and on how the Italian team can improve on both the chassis and the power unit side for next year.

“I think these next five races are like test races. Of course, we want to hold on to second in the constructors’ championship, but this is a time for us to really look at how the season has gone and continue working on and modifying our processes. I think we’ve already done that, and things have gotten to a better place,” Hamilton told the media on Thursday in Mexico City.

“For me, I’m really focused right now on next year’s car, looking at the good things from this year and making sure we don’t lose them, but instead add to the chassis. And then, of course, in the background, I’m pushing as hard as I can to make sure we come with a power unit that can compete with Mercedes and Red Bull,” he added.

Hamilton also noted that he still wants to finish the 2026 season on a high, as the team deserves the best possible result at the end of the year. He added that he will still try to maximize each result in the last five races.

Lewis Hamilton Says He is ‘Built Differently’ Ahead of the Mexican GP

Speaking to the media in Mexico City on Thursday, Hamilton said that he feels he is ‘built differently’ from any other driver in the history of F1. He explained that he has broken most of the many preconceptions that people have had about him over the years.

“I mean, firstly, you’ve never had anyone like me here in the seventy years [of the sport]. So I feel that I’m built differently. Of course, there are challenges up ahead that I can’t foresee that come with age,” Hamilton said.

“But along this journey, there have been so many preconceived ideas about the fact that your reaction time drops off. Did you see my reaction in the last race? They are faster than some of the youngest people here,” the 41-year-old added.

Hamilton then also said that he will continue racing in F1 for the ‘foreseeable future’ and will not stop as long as he is enjoying what he does.

This conversation about Hamilton’s future has come about following the announcement of the African GP in Rwanda in the early 2030s. The seven-time world champion, who would be 45 in 2030, had previously said that he would not leave the sport before racing in Africa at least once.