“It’s a priority” – F1’s global director supports Lewis Hamilton wish to see sport return to Africa

“It’s a priority” – F1’s global director is supportive of Lewis Hamilton wish to see the sport return to Africa.

Lewis Hamilton has been advocating the return of the African Grand Prix since long. The continent last hosted an F1 race back in 1993, in Kyalami, South Africa. This time, the same venue and Morroco are the mooted destinations.

“I think bringing the attention back to Africa and really highlighting the beautiful place that it is, that’s the most important place we have to go to. It needs to be held where it’s not all about money. It’s about the people. In business, that’s not always the case. That’s something I’m really pushing for.”

African Grand Prix a possibility in 2022?

F1’s global director of race promotion Chloe Targett-Adams has seconded Hamilton’s opinion. She concedes “Africa is a continent that we don’t race in and that is just wrong”.

“It’s somewhere that we very much want to [go]. It’s a priority. We’ve been in talks with possible options for a few years and we’re hoping that, ultimately, we will be able to achieve a race there in the near to mid-term.”

Miami second USA venue on the cards after Austin

Targett-Adams also confirmed “the US remains a clear strategic priority”. The country currently hosts a race in Austin, Texas. Miami is the second venue being considered, but is facing local opposition.

“We’ve got a great race in Austin now, and we look forward to working with our promoter there hopefully for more years to come. Equally we’re looking at a second race opportunity, a destination location and looking to build up that US race proposition we have.”

Read more: “South Africa is the most likely place for that to happen” – Son of former F1 world champion eager to bring back African Grand Prix