Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton welcomed the sportโs expansion in the United States but also called for a return to South Africa.
Formula One last raced at the Kyalami circuit, north of Johannesburg, in 1993 but there have been talks about a return.
Chloe Targett-Adams, the sportโs head of race promotion, said in February that racing in Africa was a priority. Meanwhile, Miami is scheduled to become the second US race next year, along with Austin, Texas, and there has been talk of an eventual third grand prix in Las Vegas.
โThe place that I really feel is dear to my heart and most important for me is to get a race back in South Africa,โ Hamilton told reporters at Austinโs Circuit of the Americas ahead of Sundayโs grand prix.
โI think thereโs a great following out there and it would be great to be able to highlight just how beautiful the motherland is.โ
Formula One last week published a record 23-race calendar for next year, with Miami in May and Austin in October.
โThe US Grand Prix is fantastic and it is such a huge country, having just one race here for sure isnโt enough to really be able to tap into the sporting culture here,โ said Hamilton.
โI think definitely you need to have at least two. But there are so many great cities to have a grand prix. Miami is incredible as is Austin. I donโt know about the next one but Iโm not opposed to that.โ
Ferrariโs Charles Leclerc, who joined Hamilton in the round of driver press conferences, said he would also like to see three US races in future.
โI think Formula One is getting bigger and bigger in the last years thanks to the Netflix season here and I can definitely feel it and see it,โ Leclerc said.
โItโs great to be here and I would be very happy to have a third race here. And I agree with Lewis on Africa in general.โ
