Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has spoken about the prospect of Formula 1 heading to Africa, and the seven-time world champion wants to see the continent break free from its colonisers
Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about Formula 1 and Africa(Image: Jayce Illman/Getty Images)
Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton wants to see Africa break free from the influence of Britain, France, Spain and other nations to reclaim its resources. The veteran racer also hopes to see the sport make a return to the continent before he retires.
Speaking ahead of the Australian Grand Prix as the 2026 season gets underway in Melbourne this weekend, Hamilton was asked by a South African journalist about the prospect of a race in Africa.
The seven-time world champion took the opportunity to speak of his desire for that to happen. But the 41-year-old also spoke out on how he felt the continent continued to be exploited.
“I think 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 and takes so much from it and no one speaks about it,” he said.
“I’m really hoping that the people that are running those different countries all unite and come together and take Africa back. That’s what I want to see.
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“Take it back from the French, take it back from the Spanish, take it back from the Portuguese and the British. It’s so important for the future of that continent.
“They have all the resources to be the greatest and most powerful place in the world, and that’s probably why they are being controlled the way they are. But anyways, move on.”
Hamilton is keen to see racing return to Africa, with no Grand Prix being hosted on the continent since 1993. On that occasion, the South African Grand Prix took place at Kyalami.
“There’s one on every other continent, why not Africa?” he said. “I know they (F1) are really trying. I think they’ve been to quite a few different countries.
“The ones that I’ve enjoyed the most: I loved Kenya. (But) I don’t think we’re going to have a grand prix in Kenya. Rwanda was spectacular. Two places I felt like I could live.
“South Africa is stunning. I think those are the ones I think would be good places for us to potentially go to.”
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And the sport’s icon is keen that Africa makes it onto Formula 1’s calendar before he retires. Hamilton revealed he is lobbying Formula 1’s decision-makers with his time running out.
“I don’t want to leave the sport without having a grand prix there, without getting to race there, so I’m chasing them: ‘When is it going to be?’” he said.
“They’re setting certain dates. I’m like, ‘Damn, I could be running out of time…’ So I’m going to be here for a while, until that happens, because that would be amazing, given that I’m half-African.
“I’ve got roots from a few different places there, like Togo and Benin. I went to visit Benin last year, Senegal and Nigeria. It’s something I’m really, really proud of. I’m really proud of that part of the world.”
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