Africa/ Formula 1: Hamilton vows not to retire until F1 races in Africa
Lewis Hamilton has declared he will not retire from Formula 1 until the sport finally holds a grand prix in Africa; the only habitable continent currently absent from the calendar.
Speaking at the Australian Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion revealed he has spent six years lobbying stakeholders, asking: “Why are we not in Africa?” The 41-year-old Ferrari driver, who is of Afro-Caribbean descent, has visited ten African countries and believes Rwanda and South Africa are prime candidates to host a race.
“I don’t want to leave the sport without getting to race there,” Hamilton said. “They’re setting certain dates… I could be running out of time, so I’m going to be here until that happens.”
While F1 bosses have explored returns to Kyalami in South Africa and interest from Rwanda, no concrete plans exist for this decade. Hamilton’s passion extends beyond racing, delivering an impassioned plea for the continent’s future.
“It is the most beautiful part of the world, and I don’t like that the rest of the world owns so much of it,” he said. “I’m hoping the people running those countries unite and take Africa back from the French, Spanish, Portuguese and British. They have the resources to be the most powerful place in the world.”
Lewis Hamilton, beginning his 20th F1 season and second with Ferrari, remains determined to see Africa on the calendar before he hangs up his helmet.
