A Grand Prix hasn't been held on the continent since 1993 but the seven-time world champion thinks it is the "right time" to go back as the calendar continues to expand around the world.

Hamilton told reporters: "The time's 100 per cent right.

"We can't be adding races in other locations and continue to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa.

"I think having a Grand Prix there will really be able to highlight just how great the place is and bring in tourism and all sorts of things. Why are we not on that continent?

"There is at least one track that's ready. In the short-term, we should just get on that track and have that part of the calendar, and then work on building something really cool."

Hamilton revealed that he has been involved in talks about staging races in Rwanda and South Africa after the sport's chief executive Stefano Domenicali revealed earlier this month that the former was interested in hosting a Grand Prix event.

The Mercedes driver said: "Rwanda is one my favourite places I've been to actually, I've been doing a lot of work in the background on it.

"I've spoken to people in Rwanda, I've spoken to people in South Africa. That's a longer project, Rwanda, but it's amazing that they're so keen to get a part of it."