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F1 in SA?

WHILE many drivers welcomed the addition of Las Vegas to the Formula 1 calendar next season, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton called for South Africa also to be returned to the roster.

Nearly 30 years have passed since the country hosted an F1 race in 1993, and Africa is the only inhabited continent which does not feature on the current calendar.

“We’re pretty much on every other continent, so why not?” said Mercedes driver Hamilton.

“And ultimately, my ancestors are from there so that’s why it is important for me personally.” Reuters

Man to beat

CHARLES Leclerc has long been touted as a Formula One world champion in the making and the Ferrari driver has emerged as the man to beat this season after a dominant victory in Melbourne.

The 24-year-old from Monaco blew away his rivals at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix at a revamped Albert Park, starting from pole and taking the chequered flag by more than 20 seconds from Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. The pace of Leclerc’s Ferrari – coupled with Max Verstappen’s problems at Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton’s travails at Mercedes – have seen him emerge as early favourite to win a maiden drivers’ title.