Lewis Hamilton has called on the people of Africa to “take back” their continent, delivering an impassioned speech at the Australian Grand Prix on Thursday. The seven-time world champion, who is Formula 1’s first black driver and has African heritage, spoke for three uninterrupted minutes about his love for the continent and his desire to see an F1 race held there.
Hamilton, 41, has visited 10 African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, Benin, Senegal and Nigeria. He has been pushing behind the scenes for years to bring a grand prix to Africa, the only habitable continent without a race. South Africa, Rwanda and Morocco have expressed interest in hosting one.
“I don’t want to leave the sport without having a grand prix there,” Hamilton said. “I’m chasing them: ‘when is it going to be?!’” He identified Rwanda and South Africa as potential venues, adding that he is proud of his African roots in Togo and Benin.
Hamilton expressed hope that African leaders would unite and “take Africa back from the French, take it back from the Spanish, take it back from the Portuguese and the British.” He argued that Africa has all the resources to become “the most powerful place in the world” but is being controlled by outside forces.
The Ferrari driver is preparing for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, looking to improve after a difficult first year with the team in which he failed to finish on the podium.
