Lewis Hamilton Advocates for African Unity and Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton, the British seven-time Formula 1 world champion and the sport's first black driver, has expressed a strong desire to compete in a grand prix held on African soil before retiring. Speaking in Melbourne, Hamilton highlighted his ambition to see an African grand prix become a reality.
Beyond his racing aspirations, Hamilton addressed broader issues concerning Africa's geopolitical status. He criticized the lingering influence of former colonial powers over the continent and called for a collective movement to reclaim control. Hamilton emphasized his personal connection to Africa, noting his heritage from countries such as Togo and Benin.
“I’ve got roots from a few different places there, like Togo and Benin,” he said. “I’m really proud of that part of the world.
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. I’m really hoping the people running those different countries all unite and come together and take back.
That’s what I want to see. 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.”
Push for an African Grand Prix
Hamilton reiterated his long-standing support for establishing a Formula 1 race in Africa. He revealed that for six to seven years, he has been actively engaging with stakeholders to advocate for the inclusion of an African grand prix on the F1 calendar.
“For the past six years, maybe seven, I’ve been fighting in the background to get a grand prix … sitting with stakeholders and asking the question: ‘Why are we not in Africa?’,” he stated.
“I don’t want to leave the sport without having a grand prix there, without getting to race there, so I’m chasing them. 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. That would be amazing, given that I’m half African. There’s one on every other continent, why not Africa? I know they’re really trying.”
Potential Host Countries for the Grand Prix
Having traveled extensively across Africa, Hamilton shared his views on possible locations for the race. He mentioned Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa as countries with strong potential to host a grand prix, highlighting Rwanda and South Africa in particular for their appeal.
“I think they’ve been to quite a few different countries. I loved Kenya – I don’t think we’re going to have a grand prix in Kenya – but Rwanda particularly was spectacular. South Africa is stunning. Those are the ones I think would be good places for us to potentially go to.”
