Formula 1 has not visited the African continent for three decades since the last South African Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1993. However, Lewis Hamilton is keen to end this long gap before considering retirement from the track. The seven-time champion expressed his commitment to reintegrating Africa into the F1 calendar, making this goal a sort of “final mission” in his career. “I’m working behind the scenes to get South Africa on the calendar,” Hamilton said in Abu Dhabi. “It’s a dream for me, and I need to be there when it happens.”
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Hamilton’s passion for F1’s return to Africa is nothing new. He has always defended the geographical diversity of the category and sees the continent as a fundamental part of this mission. However, the path to realizing this desire is not simple. Recent attempts, such as negotiations with Kyalami, have run into financial and logistical challenges.
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F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged the interest in returning to Africa, but highlighted the importance of choosing “the right partners and a stable base for a long-term stay”. He also confirmed the interest of other locations on the continent, expanding the possibilities.
As official negotiations progress, Hamilton remains determined. With his influence as a seven-time champion and the persistence that took him to the top of motorsport, Hamilton’s “Africa mission” promises to gain strength and resonate throughout the F1 paddock. After all, a return to the continent would represent more than just an additional race on the calendar. It would be a significant symbolic step towards the diversity and globalization of the category, and Hamilton seems willing to be the protagonist of this transformation.