F1 bosses are still ignoring Lewis Hamilton even after Mercedes star's retirement comment

Lewis Hamilton's request for a Grand Prix race to be held in Africa is still being ignored by Formula One bosses - even after he pleaded to race there before he retires. The Mercedes driver has been asking for the sport to return to Africa for the first time since 1993 for several years now but he may end up retiring before bosses take action.

This suggestion from the seven-time world champion has fallen on deaf ears as there is yet to be any movement from F1 bosses on returning to South Africa for a Grand Prix.

The last African Grand Prix took place in Kyalami in 1993 - which is considered to be one of the sport's most historic circuits.

The long-awaited return to Kyalami in South Africa seemed possible in 2022 when representation from Kyalami met with relevant F1 groups - but it fell through due to South Africa's ties with Russia, BBC reports. There have currently been no suggestions that F1 will explore racing in Africa again, having only recently extended the calendar to 24 races.

CEO Stefano Domenicali also said back in April that F1 would keep the 24-race cap in place despite 35 venues expressing interest. However, Hamilton is still set on racing in South Africa before he retires from F1 for good - and hasn't been quiet about his desires. Speaking to GQ Sports in 2023, Lewis said: "I want to race in Africa.

"We’re on all the other continents. When you do bring a Grand Prix to a place, it brings so much attention and so much travel, great for the economy and educating people. When we travel, we have an opportunity to really tap into the community and leave a long-lasting legacy. It shouldn’t just be to show up, do a show, and leave."

Hamilton also revealed at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2023 that he is involved in ongoing discussions for F1 to return to Africa. The Mirror reports that the Mercedes driver said: "I'm working in the background to get South Africa on the [calendar]. That's like such a dream for me. I've got to stay until they get that race."

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has come out and said that the company are "trying to find a solution for the best of the sport" that could allow a return to Africa. In 2023, he said: "Africa is still a continent that we are working very hard. As I always said, we need to find the right partners, the right middle-term plan. What I want to avoid is that we go there one year and then forget it. We are working, trying to find a solution for the best of the sport, for the best of the country."

Meanwhile, Hamilton has hinted at retirement plans he is undertaking after signing a contract with Ferrari to join in 2025 - ending a 12-year career association with Mercedes.

The majorly successful F1 driver has admitted that he has spoken to other famous athletes about planning for retirement, as he will be 40 years old by the time he enters his new contract with Ferrari.

The Mirror reports that Hamilton said: "I'd spoken to so many amazing athletes, from Boris Becker to Serena Williams, even Michael Jordan. Talking to greats that I've met along the way, who are retired - or some that are still in competition - and the fear of what's next, the lack of preparation for what's next.

"A lot of them said, 'I stopped too early', or, 'Stayed too long. When it ended, I didn't have anything planned. My whole world came crashing down because my whole life has been about that sport.'

"Some of them were like, 'I didn't plan and it was a bit of a mess-up because I was really lost afterwards. There was such a hole. Such a void. And I had no idea how I was going to fill it. And I was in such a rush initially to try and fill it that you fill it with the wrong thing. And you make a few mistakes. And then eventually you find your way'."