Hamilton Backs Domenicali’s Africa GP Promise

Lewis Hamilton confirms Stefano Domenicali’s promise to bring an F1 Grand Prix to Africa, a cause he passionately supports for diversity.

Will Lewis Hamilton’s legacy on diversity and inclusion at Mercedes F1 endure after his move to Ferrari?

This is, of course, the British driver’s wish, and there’s little reason to believe Mercedes F1 would reverse its progress in these areas. In fact, all F1 teams have recently committed to signing a charter on diversity and inclusion.

What is clear is that Lewis Hamilton will keep the pressure on Toto Wolff and Mercedes F1. When asked about his legacy at the team and his greatest source of pride, he doesn’t immediately think of his titles between 2014 and 2020.

“I think the thing I’m most proud of when I reflect on what I leave behind, hopefully in a positive way, is the work we’ve done on diversity and inclusion.”

“From the very first moment I sat down with Toto, he was open-minded, and the entire team showed the same mindset. Every team member underwent diversity and inclusion training, and a dedicated diversity group was established.”

“We launched Ignite, and we truly invested our money, and now we have a very, very diverse team, which I’m really grateful to have been a part of.”

“And when I sit down with Toto, I tell him, ‘Look, when I’m gone, there won’t be anyone in the room to have those difficult conversations with you, but I hope you’ll continue,’ and of course, he will.”

These difficult conversations were the ones in which Lewis Hamilton challenged Toto Wolff about Mercedes F1’s lack of female representation or its overly “white” composition.

But of course, Lewis Hamilton also spoke about his sporting achievements: his consecutive Constructors’ titles from 2014 to 2021.

“And then, on the track, I think it’s naturally our resilience over the years and the ongoing pursuit of perfection.”

“I loved it.”

“These last few years haven’t obviously been spectacular in terms of performance, but there are many great things we’ve done, especially off the track.”

“And again, I think it’s really been a test of time to show how resilient we are.”

“We’re still here. We continue to show up. We continue to give everything we’ve got. And that’s something to be proud of.”

An African GP thanks to Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton’s legacy could be seen on the calendar.

Still focused on diversity and inclusion, Lewis Hamilton is said to have secured a promise from Stefano Domenicali: to have a Grand Prix in Africa, likely in Rwanda or South Africa.

“He promised me,” he says.

Stefano Domenicali has also been a strong advocate for F1’s commitment to diversity. As a result, Lewis Hamilton is one of his biggest supporters: he wouldn’t want Domenicali to leave his position, especially after Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media, already stepped down.

However, with the ongoing battle between Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Stefano Domenicali, could the Italian lose his job? What does Lewis Hamilton think about the turbulence at the Concorde Agreement, especially after Mohammed Ben Sulayem dismissed race director Niels Wittich?

“I can’t speak for the other drivers.”

“We’re in a GDPA meeting, and they probably won’t discuss such things, maybe only with Niels, because consistency is something we always ask for.”

“And I don’t know why. Someone sent me a message to talk about all these changes.”

“I really hope Stefano doesn’t leave, because he has been so decisive in these changes, in the progress the sport is making.”

“I’ve spoken to him a lot about organizing a race in Africa, and it’s really him who promised me he would make sure it happens before I leave, so that’s important.”

“And also, we need to recognize the work we’ve done on diversity as well, so I really hope Stefano doesn’t resign, because he has been fantastic and knows the sport as well as anyone.”

“Greg (Maffei) has also been great in terms of coming in and really helping the sport grow.”

“He’s been one of the key figures in that respect, but all good things come to an end, and whoever they put in place, I just hope they’ll have similar ideas.”

“Right now, it feels like everything is collapsing with people leaving the private sector, but sometimes you need to shake the tree for some apples to fall.”