Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali has hinted fans could see the return of South Africa on the calendar for the first time since 1993, amid calls from Lewis Hamilton to reinstate it. Hamilton has repeatedly called on F1 bosses to add a race in Africa, admitting he believed there was a great following in the country.
Formula One has made various changes to the bumper 23-race calendar proposed for the upcoming season, with the addition of a race in Miami, and the return of Australia, Canada, Singapore, and Japan.
Speaking of South Africa, Domenicali told SPORT 1: “As I said, the US is important to us and we are working hard to make Miami a success in 2022.
“The other region that we shouldn’t underestimate is the Far East, especially with Guanyu Zhou, who now drives for Alfa Romeo.
“Interest from China is growing, which is why the region will also move into our focus.
“A comeback in Africa – whether in the north or south – would be great.
“How quickly this works will also depend on the situation around Covid, We must not continue to underestimate the corona pandemic.
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“We could also have to adjust the calendar again in 2022.”
But questions have been raised after the inaugural Formula E Cape Town E-Prix was dropped from the calendar only a few weeks ago, with the championship bosses hoping to defer it until 2023.
Back in October, Hamilton reiterated his desire to race in South Africa, adding: “The place I really feel, to my heart, is most important to me is to get a race back in South Africa.
“I think there is a great following out there and I think it would be great to highlight how beautiful the motherland is.”
Hamilton also backed a second race in America, which was later confirmed by F1 bosses.
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“We could also have to adjust the calendar again in 2022.”
But questions have been raised after the inaugural Formula E Cape Town E-Prix was dropped from the calendar only a few weeks ago, with the championship bosses hoping to defer it until 2023.
Back in October, Hamilton reiterated his desire to race in South Africa, adding: “The place I really feel, to my heart, is most important to me is to get a race back in South Africa.
“I think there is a great following out there and I think it would be great to highlight how beautiful the motherland is.”
Hamilton also backed a second race in America, which was later confirmed by F1 bosses.
“The US Grand Prix is fantastic, It’s such a huge country,” said the seven-time world champion.
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