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Lewis Hamilton is waiting for F1 to return to Africa, and is doing everything in his power to make it happen!
Lewis Hamilton has accumulated a lot of leverage during his lengthy F1 career. However, the one thing the Ferrari driver hasn’t been able to do is bring Formula 1 back to Africa.
It’s been 33 years since the last Formula 1 race took place in Africa, as the Kyalami circuit, among many others, has been shunned for quite some time.
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The 33-year wait might be coming to an end soon, as South Africa is pushing very hard to get back into the F1 calendar in the years to come.
Luckily for them, they have Lewis Hamilton in their corner, who has laid out his ambitions to race in Africa at least once before he calls time on his career.
READ MORE: F1 insiders think Lewis Hamilton is ‘deluding himself’ by chasing another title at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton won’t consider retirement until racing in Africa
While speaking at a press conference ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton spoke about his long-standing fight to get an African GP back on the F1 calendar.
Pointing to countries like South Africa and Kenya, Hamilton admitted that he wants to race once in Australia before he walks away from Formula 1.
“I’ve had the privilege, I’ve been to 10 countries now in Africa, there’s still so much more for me to see… For the past six years, I think, maybe seven, I’ve been fighting in the background to get a Grand Prix.”
“Sitting with the stakeholders and asking them, ‘Why are we not in Africa? We’re on every other continent, why not Africa?’ I know they’re really trying. I think they’ve been to quite a few different countries…”
“I don’t want to leave the sport without having a Grand Prix there, without getting to race there. I’m gonna be here for a while until that happens because that’ll be amazing, given that I’m half African.”
READ MORE: Fred Vasseur thinks Lewis Hamilton is now ‘starting from scratch’ at Ferrari this season
If Lewis Hamilton gets his wish and F1 heads to Africa, which circuit should be added to the calendar?
Lewis Hamilton’s desire to return to Africa based on his proud roots
Hamilton spoke further about his own roots in Africa, and how much the continent means to him, calling it the most beautiful part of the world.
“I’m half African. I’ve got roots from a few different places there. Benin, Senegal, Nigeria. It’s something I’m really proud of, that part of the world. I think it is the most beautiful part of the world…”
While Hamilton will no doubt be looking to return to his home as part of Formula 1, for now, he will be focused entirely on getting off to a good start in Australia.
Many back Hamilton to have a good year with Ferrari after struggling to get things going in his debut with the team.
But as he tries to navigate a rivalry with his teammate, Charles Leclerc, Hamilton might find it difficult to start the season in dominant fashion.
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