With the contract for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos expiring this year, Formula One was planning to add a new brazilian race to its calendar, hence an agreement with a local promoter for a venue located in Rio de Janeiro. However, the new venue would be situated in the Camboata Forest, and would imply the tearing down of approximately 70 000 trees. The project has yet to be approved by the brazilian authorities, but it is already facing a strong opposition based on environmental grounds. 

Rio Motorsports, the race promoter, said as defense:

"The suppression of these 70 thousand trees will be compensated by planting another 700,000 trees, part of them within the land itself, which will make the area with vegetation larger than it is today" 

"In addition, about 810,000m² of land - the equivalent of 75 football fields - will be used entirely with adopting conservationist and preservationist practices in support of the natural heritage."

Despite the promoter’s offerings of planting more trees than they would cut, and relocating the animals that inhabit the current site, six-times world champion Hamilton, notoriously known for his advocating in favour of environment preservation, expressed his doubts regarding the matter:  

“Firstly I love Brazil and I think some of my biggest following is in Brazil. The Brazilian people mean a lot to me and the support that I’ve had there over the years has been immense."

“I was hoping I wasn’t going to get this question because, ultimately, my personal opinions are that the world doesn’t need a new circuit.”

“I think there’s plenty of circuits in the world that are great and I love Interlagos. I’ve been to Rio and it’s a beautiful, beautiful place.”

“I don’t know all the details of it. I heard that it’s potentially going to be a sustainable race but the most sustainable thing you can do is not tear down any trees.”

“With deforestation and everything, I don’t think it’s a smart move for us."

“I don’t have the details of why, but it’s not something I personally support.”

In November 2019, Formula One has announced a plan to be carbon neutral by 2030. As planned, the sport aims to ensure all events are sustainable, by providing incentives and tools to offer every fan, local people, and businesses a greener way to live the sport they love. One has to wonder how this Rio project aligns with that F1 push for sustainability. 

Ultimately, the Authorities of Rio will have to decide how trustworthy is the environment plan submitted by the race promoter, and also to find a way to enforce them to achieve those sustainable standards they are commiting to.