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Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton takes unexpected stance on F1 return to Middle East

Lewis Hamilton has taken a contrarian view to many on whether F1 should race in the Middle East at the end of the season.

Hamilton Baku
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Lewis Hamilton wants to see F1 complete the season in the Middle East despite the ongoing threat to the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.

There are lingering risks associated with the region following the United States and Israel's war with Iran, which disrupted travel to the campaign-opening round in Melbourne and saw the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix postponed in April.

The Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend, but the annual trip to Jeddah has been cancelled.

And with F1 scheduled to end the year back in the region, the uncertainty over the eventual calendar for the season remains.

"I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365. "From what I've read, I think things seem okay out there.

F1 is delaying its decision to the last possible moment, but with other series having already axed late-season rounds in the Middle East from their own calendars, the expectation is that F1 will eventually have to follow suit.

"But I don't have all the information, so I don't know what the risk levels are," the seven-time F1 drivers' champion added.

"I trust in Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO] to make the right decision for the sport, but I do hope that we get to go there."

Hamilton: Imola in winter 'might not be the best'

The current expectation is that Imola would stand in to replace the slot vacated by either Qatar or Abu Dhabi (most likely the latter), which are planned to close out the final triple-header, including and after the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

However, the Ferrari driver was quick to highlight the pitfalls of racing in Italy in December.

"Finishing in winter in Imola might not be the best weather-wise," said Hamilton.

"It's a beautiful track, but it's not a track that we're going to be doing any overtaking at. And the more races for me, the better."

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