Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
SEVEN time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has renewed calls for Formula One to stage a race in Africa, saying the continent deserves a place on the global calendar, as he revealed ahead of the Australian Grand Prix that he is working with stakeholders behind the scenes to push for the return of a race to the continent, which last hosted the sport in 1993 at Kyalami Circuit in South Africa.
41-year-old Hamilton is Formula One’s most successful driver with seven World titles and 105 grand prix victories.
The Ferrari driver, who is Formula One’s first black driver, was speaking ahead of the season opening Australian Grand Prix, revealing he has been pushing for the sport to return to Africa.
Hamilton says the continent has been overlooked for too long and deserves to host a race on the global calendar.
“We cannot keep adding races in other locations and continue to ignore Africa. The world championship should include Africa, and I am working with people behind the scenes to try and make that happen,” he said.
Africa last hosted a Formula One Grand Prix in 1993 at the Kyalami Circuit in South Africa, and efforts have intensified in recent years to bring the sport back to the continent.
South Africa and Rwanda have reportedly expressed interest in staging a future race.
Hamilton says bringing Formula One to Africa would help showcase the continent, while opening new opportunities for the sport and its fans.
