Max Verstappen has echoed calls from Lewis Hamilton for Formula 1 chiefs to focus upon a return to racing in Africa.
Traditionally a Europe-centric sport, F1 bosses have made a point of expanding into other markets, particularly in recent years. It has been made clear that the focus has been moved away from Europe with other parts of the world now prioritised for growth.
The US and the Middle East have been notable areas targeted, with seven of the 23 races this season in those regions. Central and South America, Asia and Australia are also represented, though there is one notable part of the world which is still cut off from the sport.
F1 has not raced in Africa for three decades. In 1993, the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami was won by Alain Prost but the circus has not returned since – despite recent unsuccessful attempts to bring the sport back to the circuit which is in need of upgrades if it were to gain FIA approval for F1.
It remains to be seen how long it will take for that to happen, while there are no other concrete plans to stage an F1 race on the continent. Hamilton spoke last year about his "dream" of seeing the sport return to Africa.
He said: "The place that 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."
Big rivals as they are, Verstappen and Hamilton don't see eye to eye on everything. But this is one occasion on which their beliefs are aligned, with the Red Bull star backing the Brit's call for F1 chiefs to look into adding a new race in Africa.
The Dutchman said: "I really think we need a race in Africa. We basically race on every other continent already, so I think that's the next step for Formula 1. Formula 1 already has a history in South Africa, so that would be a great addition to the Formula 1 calendar."
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali recently said on the subject: "We need to make sure when we do something new, that it has to be with the right partners and be stable fundamentals to stay longer.
"The only thing that I can say that after the first contact with Kyalami is that there are other places in Africa that are interested on Formula 1. That's a very clear target – Africa will come back and hopefully very soon on our calendar."
