Hamilton backs F1 move to city races

Hamilton in Australia — Photo: © LAT Images

Lewis Hamilton

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Hamilton backs F1 move to city races

Hamilton believes the sport can have more impact

Ewan Gale

Sunday 15 May 2022 09:30

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Lewis Hamilton has backed F1's migration to high-profile city circuits, insisting the sport is "about the people".

The Miami Grand Prix made its inaugural appearance on the calendar last time out, Jeddah another recent city location added to last year.

Continuing this trend, the sport has announced a race in Las Vegas for 2023.

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The influx of such venues threatens the historic tracks in Europe but asked if there will still be a place for more traditional circuits in the future, Hamilton replied: "Look I’m a bit old school. So of course, I love the history, particularly in certain circuits.

"But the older I get, the more I realise it's about the people.

"We could go to the middle of nowhere that has very few people, not great accommodation, not great community and for us, as individuals, driving on a track that’s historic is cool – but it's about the people.

"And the people really do make… we've experienced with the pandemic, no one being in there and that's just no atmosphere. It was like a test day. It was not enjoyable.

"And now we're seeing hundreds of thousands of people turn up to the race, energised, excited, keen to learn more. And so, I think the fans are at the heart of what this sport is about, they create it."

F1 city races allow 'engagement and impact' - Hamilton

The build-up to the Miami Grand Prix saw a number of activation events, as well as individual projects led by drivers.

Hamilton continued his push for greater equality in F1 by meeting children from diverse backgrounds whilst Sebastian Vettel made his own visit to promote a variety of societal issues in the area.

"I think, being in cities where we can really engage in communities and actually also have an impact," explained Hamilton

"When you go to those… I love Nürburgring, for example, but there's not a diverse community there.

"We're not actually impacting the place there. [In cities], we can do something.

"I met a bunch of kids from diverse backgrounds, who now want to get into engineering and STEM subjects and so, it's way cooler for me."