Seven times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton says he feels “transformed” after traveling in Africa during the racing series’ August break.
The Briton, Formula 1’s only black driver whose paternal grandparents immigrated to Britain from the Caribbean, has been documenting on social media his travels to Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
“The past two weeks have been one of the best days of my life,” the 37-year-old said in an Instagram post.
“I’m not a man like I was before this trip, all the beauty, love and peace I experienced made me feel completely transformed.”
Hamilton, who races for Mercedes and has won a record 103 grandsons prix, said he has stuck with his roots and feels his ancestry is stronger than ever.
He told his 29.5 million followers: “No photo can capture how I feel right now and what I’m trying to say. “Just know, where short words run deep emotions.”
Hamilton has long called for Formula One to race on the continent, with the sport speaking to organizers in South Africa about back to Kyalami for the first time since 1993.
Hamilton, an outspoken campaigner for racial equality and diversity, said: “The place where I really feel dear and most important to me is bringing a race back to South Africa.”
“I think there are a lot of followers out there and it would be nice to be able to highlight how beautiful the homeland is.”
