7 time Formula 1 champion, sir Lewis Hamilton says he still wants to see Formula One race in Africa, and he wants the conversation to reach well beyond the track. Asked about the prospect of a grand prix on the continent, the seven-time world champion said his hopes rest as much on African countries working together as on the sport arriving.
“I really hope, and I still have hopes, that Africa unites,” Hamilton said. “I know there’s many people that don’t want that to happen because they would be so powerful if they did, but I’m still hopeful that at some stage they will.”
He was clear that a race should not come at the cost of ignoring the realities people face there. “Of course, going doesn’t mean that you neglect the things that are happening there,” he said. “So hopefully many people start to educate themselves a little bit more about what is happening there.”
Hamilton said he hopes talk of an African race pushes fans to engage with humanitarian issues, and he named several places where he wants to see freedom and peace.
“I hope that does spark the conversation,” he said. “I think we need to make sure we’re pushing to free Congo, free Sudan, free Syria, free Palestine.”
He added: “I think there’s a lot of peace that I’m hoping that at some stage we get to.”
Hamilton gave no timeline for a race in Africa. His message centered on unity, education and the people affected by conflict.
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