The saga that is whether or not Formula One is heading to South Africa has been running all year. First it was on like Donkey Kong, then F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone buried our hopes (for now at least) with a series of strong-worded statements.

But now we have ourselves an unlikely ally, none other than Lewis ‘some say it’s OK to hate him‘ Hamilton. Having clinched his third world championship this past Sunday he was quizzed about whether he would like to see South Africa host a race. This from the BBC:

“I would love for it to be in South Africa. They are great sporting fans and are just petrolheads who love cars,” Hamilton [said]…

“I would love to go there, it would be absolutely insane,” the Mercedes driver added. “There is a huge following there and it is one of the most important grands prix we need to get on the calendar”…

“This is the first time that black South Africans have had someone to relate to in this sport,” Hamilton said. “I feel incredibly privileged to be at the front of that.”

When the sport’s leading man is singing your praises that has to come as something of a confidence boost. I’m sure there are many of those afore-mentioned petrolheads who will be hoping the city of Cape Town sits up and takes notice.

[source:bbc]