​‘Free Congo, Free Palestine’: Hamilton Speaks Out as F1 Eyes Rwanda Grand Prix

Image: Collected

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton delivered an impassioned plea for global peace and justice during a press conference ahead of the United States Grand Prix, using the spotlight surrounding Formula 1's announced return to Africa to call for freedom across multiple conflict zones, including Palestine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Ferrari driver made the remarks after Formula 1 announced a landmark deal to host a Grand Prix in Rwanda, marking the sport's first return to the African continent since 1993. While Hamilton has long campaigned to bring F1 back to Africa, the decision to select Rwanda has drawn scrutiny from human rights advocates over the region's political climate and human rights record.

Addressing journalists at the Circuit of the Americas, Hamilton stressed that returning to the continent should be accompanied by awareness and social responsibility rather than overlooking ongoing regional struggles.

 "𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰, 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘥𝘢𝘯, 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘚𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘢, 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰."

- Lewis Hamilton

Key Highlights of Hamilton's Statement

● Advocacy for Africa's F1 Return: Hamilton revealed he spent years holding meetings with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and various heads of state across Africa to advocate for an African Grand Prix, emphasizing that the continent deserves a place on the F1 calendar.

● Addressing Colonial Legacy: Hamilton criticized historical neglect in Western education regarding Africa, arguing that many current crises across the continent stem from Western intervention and colonialism.

● Calls for Education and Humility: He urged fans, media, and stakeholders to approach the event with humility and use it as an opportunity to educate themselves on regional histories and ongoing socio-political conflicts.

Formula 1's agreement with Rwanda represents a major step in expanding the sport's global footprint, though driver activism led by figures like Hamilton continues to push the sport toward broader conversations surrounding human rights and geopolitical accountability.