Hamilton URGES F1 to stick to promise before retirement
Hamilton URGES F1 to stick to promise before retirement
Lewis Hamilton has once again let it be known his ambition to one day race in Africa before he retires from Formula 1.
F1 is heading to Qatar this weekend for only the second ever time, and the sport now has at least one race in every continent, except Africa.
Next season is set to be the longest season in F1 history, with 24 races set across 21 different countries, but there's still no room for an African race.
The seven-time world champion has been critical in the past of the human rights records of Qatar and Saudi Arabia and, in 2021, decided to don a rainbow helmet for the race at the Losail international circuit.
Now, he has reiterated the importance for F1 to be an educator in countries, as well as calling for an African race to be added to the calendar.
“I want to run in Africa,” he told GQ Sports.
"We are present on all other continents. When a Grand Prix is held in a location, it attracts attention and attracts people to come, which is great for the economy and people's education.
"When we move, we have the opportunity to anchor ourselves locally and leave a lasting legacy. We shouldn't just show up, do the show and leave."
READ MORE: Hamilton explains why he is more excited for Brazil than Las Vegas
F1's air miles
The sport has come into a lot of criticism recently for the number of races that are so spread apart around the globe, racking up an excessive amount of air miles that counteracts F1's objective to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft recently called it 'unsustainable' to keep adding races to the calendar year after year.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said in 2021 that there would be a race in Africa within the next five years, and Hamilton has said that he is making sure F1 sticks to that.
"Last year, I went there and traveled," he continued.
"I'm pushing very hard, I'm constantly calling to find out where this Grand Prix is going. I want to race there before I retire. I ran everywhere else. South Africa, like Johannesburg, would be great. Cape Town could be great."
READ MORE: SHOCK new African venue in line for a Grand Prix
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Marko reveals how Verstappen has HELPED Perez at Red Bull
- 13 minutes ago
Ferrari bound Bearman set to make key F1 move
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen delivers MAJOR Newey warning as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- 1 hour ago
F1 decision announced regarding points system change
- 2 hours ago
Verstappen sent Horner CLEAR message before Newey bombshell
- 3 hours ago
Horner admits Red Bull star may NEVER return to team
- Today 09:57
Related news
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860