Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton speaks at the drivers’ press conference at the F1 Eifel Grand Prix previews at Nürburgring – Getty Images
Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday he saw no need for a new circuit in Rio de Janeiro and was against cutting down forest trees to make way for it
Plans for a Grand Prix circuit, which will replace Interlagos de Sao Paolo on the F1 calendar, have sparked controversy locally with environmentalists opposed to the location
Project supporters say more trees would be planted than those removed from the wooded area in the Deodoro sector west of Rio, around what is now a disused military site
Hamilton, who could be a seven-time world champion on his next visit to Brazil, has been outspoken on environmental issues
“I was hoping I wasn’t really going to have this question,” the Mercedes driver said ahead of Sunday’s Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring “My personal opinion is that the world doesn’t need a new circuit
« I think there are lots of circuits in the world which are great and I love Interlagos »
Hamilton said he did not know all the details of the planned tour and had heard it will be sustainable development
« With deforestation and all, I don’t think it’s a smart decision, personally Again, I don’t know why, but it’s not something I personally support »
Interlagos has been on the F1 calendar since 1990 but does not organize a race this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said last year that the new privately-built track will have a capacity of 130,000 fans
Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, Nürburgring
News from around the world – GB – Lewis Hamilton against tree cutting for the new Rio circuit
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
