Lewis Hamilton has expressed his determination to race in an African Grand Prix before retiring from Formula 1. The seven-time world champion, who has long pushed for the sport’s return to Africa, voiced his frustration over the lack of progress on this front.
Hamilton’s Fight for an African Grand Prix
For the past six or seven years, Hamilton has been “fighting in the background” with F1’s governing bodies, persistently asking, “Why are we not in Africa?” The 38-year-old, whose father is of Afro-Caribbean descent and mother is white, explained that racing in Africa was something deeply personal to him.
“I don’t want to leave the sport without having a grand prix there,” Hamilton said. “I’m chasing them – when is it going to be? They’re setting certain dates, and 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.”
F1’s Struggle to Find an African Host
Despite Hamilton’s persistent efforts, there is no immediate prospect of an African Grand Prix appearing on the F1 calendar. Rwanda was the most recent country linked to hosting a race, but talks around that have now cooled. Additionally, discussions about returning to South Africa, either at Kyalami or in Cape Town, have also stalled.
Kyalami, a historic F1 venue, hosted races from 1967 to 1985 and then again in 1992 and 1993, before F1’s departure from the continent amid the apartheid era. Despite these efforts, the possibility of an African race before the end of this decade remains uncertain.
Hamilton’s Concerns Over Africa’s Exploitation
Beyond his ambitions for F1, Hamilton also voiced strong concerns about the exploitation of African countries by wealthier Western nations. “It is the most beautiful part of the world,” Hamilton said. “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.”
Hamilton’s comments reflect a broader concern about Africa’s resources being controlled by foreign powers, particularly those who colonized the continent in the 18th and 19th centuries. “I’m really hoping that the people that are running those different countries all unite and come together and take Africa back,” he said.
Hamilton pointed to the influence of colonial powers, stating, “Take it back from the French. Take it back from the Spanish. Take it back from the Portuguese and the British.” He emphasized the importance of Africa’s potential, saying that the continent has “all the resources to be the greatest and most powerful place in the world.”
Conclusion
Hamilton’s comments highlight his desire not only for a race in Africa but also for broader change on the continent. His call for unity and the reclaiming of Africa’s resources reflects his ongoing commitment to both the sport and global social issues. While an African Grand Prix may still be some time away, Hamilton remains determined to see it happen before he leaves the sport.
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