Lewis Hamilton’s Setback as F1 Chief Provides Major Calendar Update
Lewis Hamilton’s dream of bringing a Formula 1 race to Africa appears to be delayed, with F1’s president and CEO Stefano Domenicali confirming that such an achievement remains a distant goal. Despite Hamilton’s passionate call for an African Grand Prix before his retirement, recent statements from Domenicali suggest that the sport is “not there yet” in terms of making it a reality. This update comes as a blow to the seven-time world champion, who has long been an advocate for greater representation of Africa in the global motorsport scene.
Hamilton has consistently expressed his desire to see Formula 1 return to Africa, emphasizing the significance of the continent’s inclusion in the sport. At the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton reflected on the growing global popularity of F1, which now boasts a calendar of 24 races, yet continues to overlook Africa. The last time Formula 1 held a race on African soil was in 1993, with the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Since then, no African nation has hosted a Grand Prix, which has fueled Hamilton’s calls for the continent’s much-needed inclusion.
In a conversation with the media during the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton pointed out that while Formula 1 is expanding to various global markets, Africa remains excluded despite the significant cultural and economic importance the continent holds. “We can’t be adding races in other locations and continuing to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa,” Hamilton said. He argued that many people who have not experienced Africa may not fully appreciate the vast beauty and potential the continent has to offer.
Hamilton also highlighted the untapped potential that hosting a race in Africa could unlock. “There’s a huge amount of work that needs to be done there. I think a lot of the world that haven’t been there don’t realize how beautiful the place is, how vast it is,” he explained. He believes a Grand Prix could draw global attention to the continent, showcasing its natural beauty and driving both tourism and economic growth. “Having a Grand Prix there will really be able to highlight just how great the place is and bring in tourism and all sorts of things,” he said.
Despite Hamilton’s impassioned plea for an African race, Formula 1 has not made significant strides in that direction. Over the past several years, the sport has expanded its calendar significantly, adding races in various parts of the world, including the Middle East, the United States, and Asia. However, the African continent remains absent, which Hamilton has repeatedly highlighted as an ongoing issue. The global expansion of the sport has made it increasingly frustrating for him to see Africa left out.
Plans to bring Formula 1 back to South Africa at the Kyalami circuit were previously discussed but have since faltered. The Kyalami circuit, located near Johannesburg, has been a long-time venue for motorsport, hosting the South African Grand Prix until 1993. However, efforts to revive the race have encountered various obstacles, including financial and logistical challenges, preventing it from being included in the F1 calendar in recent years.
As a result of the Kyalami setback, alternative possibilities for an African Grand Prix have been explored, with Rwanda emerging as a potential host nation. Rwanda has been positioning itself as a key player in the sports and tourism industries, recently hosting the traditional FIA Prize Giving Gala, an event that celebrated the achievements of the Formula 1 season. The nation has also shown interest in bolstering its global profile by hosting major international events, making it an attractive candidate for F1’s African debut.
Hamilton has been particularly vocal about Rwanda’s potential as the future home of an African Grand Prix, actively engaging with both the Formula 1 authorities and Rwandan officials in discussions. He believes that Rwanda, with its growing infrastructure and commitment to development, could be an ideal location to host a race and bring much-needed exposure to the continent.
Despite these developments, the latest statements from Domenicali suggest that a race in Africa is still not imminent. Domenicali acknowledged the growing demand for a return to the continent but stressed that Formula 1 is not ready to make it happen just yet. “We’re not there yet,” he stated, adding that it will take time before the logistics and financial backing align to support such an event.
This delay is undoubtedly disappointing for Hamilton, who has expressed a sense of urgency to see an African race become a reality before his career concludes. The clock is ticking for the British driver, who at 38, is nearing the end of his career in Formula 1. For Hamilton, hosting a Grand Prix in Africa is not just a personal goal but a way to give back to the continent that he believes deserves more recognition on the global stage. It is also a cause he feels passionately about as part of his broader advocacy for diversity and inclusion in motorsport.
In the meantime, Hamilton and other advocates for an African Grand Prix will have to wait and hope that the growing popularity of Formula 1, combined with Africa’s rising global influence, will eventually lead to a race on the continent. While progress remains slow, Hamilton’s determination and ongoing efforts to keep the conversation alive could eventually pave the way for an exciting new chapter in the sport’s history.
