Lewis Hamilton does all he can to return from South Africa
South Africa has not taken part in F1 since 1993. While the Kyalami track could have made a comeback in 2023, the project came to nothing. However, Lewis Hamilton is still campaigning for a Grand Prix in the country, and says he doesn't want to retire before it's official.
Africa is the only one of the five continents, Arctic and Antarctic not included, that does not host any F1 Grand Prix in a season. Yet, several races have taken place on the other side of the Mediterranean. In 1957 and 1958, after the French protectorate, Morocco hosted the F1. Stirling Moss, driving his Vanwall, won the last F1 race in the Maghreb country.
Four years later, the premier category of motor racing moved to South Africa on the Prince George circuit, also known as the East London circuit. Graham Hill, on BRM, was the very first winner in the history of this Grand Prix.
In 1967, the Kyalami circuit hosted F1 until its departure from the calendar in 1983. The Mexican Pedro Rodriguez, known for being the first Mexican to win a F1 race and whose name and that of his brother Riciardo were given to the Mexico circuit, won the Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1967.
« I have to stay until they have this race »
This race in South Africa had become a classic of F1 in the 70s and 80s, however this country often caused controversy because of its policy of racist segregation: apartheid. The country suffered numerous international sanctions and the Grand Prix disappeared between 1986 and 1991.
For its return in 1992 and 1993, the layout of Kyalami has evolved from 4.094 to 4.261 kilometers. Nigel Mansell, then Alain Prost, both world champions with Williams-Renault, won the last two editions in South Africa.
While in 2023 Kyalami was in discussions to return to the schedule, the cost of work to bring the circuit up to FIA grade 1 standards was a major hindrance to South Africa’s return to F1. However, Lewis Hamilton continues to campaign for this country to once again host the discipline.
« I am working behind the scenes to get South Africa on the race schedule. It’s a dream for me, I have to stay until they have this race », declares Lewis Hamilton.
