Hamilton Pledges to Race Until F1 Returns to Africa

MELBOURNE, Australia - Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton pledged Thursday to continue racing until the sport returns to Africa, renewing his long-standing push for a Grand Prix on the continent during a pre-race news conference ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season for his 20th year in the series, emphasized his personal ties to Africa and the need for greater representation in motorsport. "I don't want to leave the sport without having a Grand Prix there, without getting to race there," he said. The 41-year-old British driver, whose father is from Grenada with African roots, described himself as half African and shared that he has ancestry in countries including Benin, Senegal, Nigeria and Togo. He recently visited Benin, Senegal and Nigeria, calling the continent "the most beautiful part of the world" and expressing pride in his heritage.

For the past six or seven years, Hamilton has advocated behind the scenes, meeting with stakeholders and questioning why Formula 1 races on every other continent but not Africa. He has traveled to 10 African countries during summer breaks and highlighted places he believes could host an...