Former Ferrari driver joins Lewis Hamilton’s pursuit for the return of African GP with Tanzanian City

An African GP has been missing from the F1 calendar for a long time now. Previously, the sport had the South African GP which was run at Kyalami between 1967 and 1985 and for a short period between 1992-1993. Due to the infamous Apartheid, F1 exited from the region after 1985 before a brief return after its abolishment. However, recent reports see an uprise in the interests of reviving an F1 GP in the African continent.

Zanzibar, a Tanzanian city has dreams of an F1 return to Africa sometime soon according to reports. This revival attempt by Zanzibar has received the support of former Ferrari driver Giancarlo Fisichella. In September 2022, a government agency recently laid the foundation for the revival attempts of the African GP.

The first concrete step towards construction was taken in September 2022, when a government agency on the African island gave its approval.

A correspondent told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had recently talked about the ‘contacts’ that the body had in Africa if there were to be a revival of the race. Hence, an African GP might not be as far-fetched as it once was in the past. This, followed by Lewis Hamilton‘s inclusion in the African GP revival is gaining a lot of traction in recent times.

Lewis Hamilton is a massive advocate for a return of the African GP

Apart from the growing interest in the return of the African GP, Lewis Hamilton always had a great liking for the subject of the continent’s return to F1. Hamilton has been involved in the return as he claimed that he wouldn’t exit the sport until the African GP comes back. Hence a return of the continent could be in the works for F1.

Additionally, Hamilton had commented that the return of the continent was a ‘big dream’ for him. The Briton has a deep sense of love for the African nation, evident from his long-term battle with F1 for the return. Hence, these talks about the revival of the nation will help gain more support for the movement.

Regardless, the authorities would need to address the major issues in the continent first. Formula 1 is a very expensive sport and it also needs enough support to actively thrive in a country. Hence, increasing awareness about the sport could be important to help validate this movement further.

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