What's happened
Lewis Hamilton has called for Formula One to return to Africa, emphasizing the continent's importance and beauty. Following a summer trip to several African countries, he expressed support for Rwanda's plans to host a Grand Prix, highlighting the need for greater empathy towards refugees and displaced people in the region.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Lewis Hamilton stated, "The time is 100 per cent right (to stage a race in Africa)." He emphasized that the world often overlooks Africa, saying, "No one gives anything to Africa." This sentiment is echoed in The Guardian, where Hamilton expressed a desire to support refugees, noting the profound impact of his recent trip to the continent. The Independent also highlights that Rwanda is ready to host a Grand Prix, with F1 boss Stefano Domenicali acknowledging the seriousness of their plans. This contrasts with the uncertainty surrounding the return of F1 to South Africa, where previous plans fell through.
How we got here
Formula One has not held a race in Africa since 1993. Recent discussions have emerged about Rwanda's potential to host a Grand Prix, with Hamilton advocating for the inclusion of Africa in the F1 calendar.
More on these topics
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Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.3 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area.
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Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton MBE HonFREng is a British racing driver currently competing in Formula One for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
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Rwanda, formerly Ruanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge. One of the smallest countries on the African mainland, its capital city is Kigali.
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Formula One is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and owned by the Formula One Group.