Hamilton reveals F1 ‘promise’ before retirement call

Lewis Hamilton has revealed  F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has promised him a race in Africa before he retires from the sport.

F1 has not ventured to Africa for a race event since 1993, when the Kyalmai Circuit hosted the final South African Grand Prix.

The FIA held its Prize Giving Gala in Rwanda last weekend, with the country's president confirming it has formally initiated plans to bring a grand prix to the East African nation.

Last month, rumours swirled that Domenicali could leave his role with F1 to take on a leading position within MotoGP - a suggestion F1 itself has denied.

Hamilton asserted he is keen to see Domenicali remain in place to see through a promise made to him regarding a future race in Africa.

“I really hope Stefano is not leaving because he’s been so instrumental in the changes, in the progress the sport’s making,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.

“I’ve been speaking to him so much about getting the race in Africa and he’s really the one that’s promised me that he’s going to make sure we get this done before I leave here, so that’s important.

“And also just being conscious of the inclusivity work that we’ve been doing as well, so I really hope that Stefano doesn’t step down because he’s been fantastic and he knows the sport as well as anyone else.”

A major change within Liberty Media, the commercial rights owner of F1, saw CEO Greg Maffei step down last month.

Reacting to the news, Hamilton said: “Greg has been also awesome in terms of coming in and really helping the sport grow.

“He’s been one of the head figures there, but all good things do come to an end and whoever they put in place I just hope that they’re like-minded.

“At the moment, it feels like everything is falling apart with people leaving the private sector, but sometimes you need to shake the tree to have some of the apples fall out.”