Hamilton insists F1 needs African race on calendar
Hamilton insists F1 needs African race on calendar
Lewis Hamilton has voiced the opinion that there is no need for more races in America, revealing that he has actively been pushing for a race weekend in Africa.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix marked the third American race weekend on the 2023 Formula 1 calendar, joining the Austin and Miami Grands Prix.
However, the Las Vegas race weekend has sparked controversy, with some fans becoming tired with the increasing number of race weekends in America.
READ MORE: F1 fans WALK OUT after being left fuming at Las Vegas Grand Prix
And seven-time world champion Hamilton has claimed that there is no need for more races in America, instead, he believes the focus should shift to another continent.
“I think so, but it’s not my job to decide how many races there is [in America],” Hamilton told Sky Sports. “But we definitely don’t need anymore! We definitely don’t need any more races.
“There’s one more race we need and that’s going to be Africa. We have all the other continents and why not there? So that’s the one I’m working on pushing right now.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicalli echoed Hamilton's desire to see a race in Africa, expressing his thoughts back in 2022.
“There are areas of the world that wants to have Formula 1, and I think that one area that we want to develop is the African area.
“We are a world championship, and that's an area where we are not there.”
Why so many F1 races in America?
For many years, F1 struggled to establish a foothold in the American market, and Hamilton also acknowledged the noticeable increase in fan viewership in recent years.
“I remember we had a race in 2007 out here and I found myself constantly trying to educate a new audience,” Hamilton added.
“It’s like they’ve never heard of anything that we were doing. I was like ‘how haven’t they got the same kind of excitement that we have that we’ve grown up with, our culture? It’s been amazing to see the change, the shift.”
Liberty Media acquired the rights to F1 in 2017, and since then, viewership has been on the rise in America. However, the Netflix series 'Drive to Survive' played a significant role in sparking widespread interest in the sport, not only in the USA.
Viewership has experienced a rapid increase in the past few years, with more fans attending grand prix weekends than ever before.
READ MORE: Wolff aims fresh dig at Masi in cutting remark ahead of Abu Dhabi GP
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Marko reveals how Verstappen has HELPED Perez at Red Bull
- 16 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
- 2 hours 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