Lewis Hamilton has always had a soft spot for the USA and now, with Formula 1 coming to America (yet again) with the Miami Grand Prix, he believes that it will be boom-time for the sport that has never got it quite right winning hearts and minds in the country.
For many years America remained the only unconquered frontier for F1, having done the business in Asia, won the hearts of the Middle East, goes to Australia, races in Europe, Central and South America and has been to Africa too.
But now American owners Liberty Media have put F1 on the centre stage of new media, withe excellent live TV coverage around the globe, coupled with a thriving official YouTube channel and a hopping social media service that seldom misses a beat, in terms of content.
Throw into that the massive appeal that Netflix's Drive to Survive series has had on folks previously ignorant of the sport means it's all very upwardly mobile in the world of F1 exposure.
Hamilton told Good Morning America ahead of the weekend in Miami: “It’s a bit nerve-racking because I think it’s going to be a huge event for us. We obviously had the race in Austin, Texas, which has always been amazing. The first race I had out here was Indianapolis in 2007.
“But now, with Netflix Drive to Survive series growing, we have two Grand Prix in the States and we have another one in Las Vegas next year. It’s going to be huge.”
There have been Formula 1 races on the west coast, the east coast, as well as races in the north and in the south including a stint at the fabled Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but never had the sport been embraced by Americans until now perhaps.
I put together the Hamilton Commission because it starts with education and understanding
Hamilton seems to think so when asked if F1 was finally nailing it with US viewership and races in Miami added to the 2022 F1 calendar and Las Vegas next year: “I think so, yes. I’ve been coming out here for a long time but never understood why people weren’t into Formula 1.
“Everyone knew Nascar and obviously there are such huge sporting fans out here and this Netflix show, particularly through the pandemic, has just brought massive awareness to the sport and now it’s booming.”
Hamilton also provided an update and explained the reason behind his Mission 44 Foundation: “It’s been generally quite a lonely journey. It’s been me and my family. We’re the only black family [in F1] and I’ve been racing 29 years. I’m 37 now.
"I’ve been professional for 16 years. I’ve most often been the only person of colour in the room and when I asked the question there was no great feedback or answer to that. So I put together the Hamilton Commission because it starts with education and understanding.”
He also explained how he intended to help reverse the fact that only one percent of the combined F1 workforce of around 40,000 workers of all levels are of black family backgrounds.
Hamilton said: “There are real systemic issues within the education system as well. So we’ve now started Mission 44, which I’ve funded myself, to try and create more representation and support and empowerment for these young, underserved groups.
“For me, there’s only 20 Formula 1 drivers, so there’s not a huge way of accessing that, but there’s 40,000 jobs. Engineers, mechanics, and marketing, there are so many incredible jobs in the background.
“Just in my team, for example, two years ago, 2000 people and only three per cent diversity. So now we’re working on tackling those challenges and improving that," added Hamilton.
The first Grand Prix of Miami for F1 takes place this weekend and will become the 11th venue in the United States to have the honour.
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