Lewis Hamilton calls for peace in Congo and Sudan as F1 plans Africa return

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton speaks during a press conference at the US Grand Prix, urging Formula 1 and global leaders to address human rights crises in Africa and the Middle East.

Speaking at the Circuit of the Americas ahead of this past weekend's United States Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton addressed Formula 1's planned expansion to Africa, in the midst of humanitarian crises across the continent. 

Three days before the United States Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion welcomed the sport's prospective return to the continent while calling for broader political awareness.

“I think we need to make sure we're pushing to free Congo, free Sudan, free Syria, free Palestine,” Hamilton told reporters when asked about upcoming race locations.

Hamilton used his press conference ahead of the 2026 US Grand Prix to highlight ongoing tensions in Congo, Sudan, Syria, and Palestine.

Following the announcement of a 10-year deal to bring the sport to Rwanda in the 2030s, the seven-time world champion welcomed the prospective return to the continent while calling for broader political awareness.

“I think we need to make sure we're pushing to free Congo, free Sudan, free Syria, free Palestine,” Hamilton told reporters when asked about upcoming race locations.

Hamilton used his press conference to highlight ongoing human rights abuses and genocide across these regions.

"Growing up in England, they never ever taught us anything about Africa," Hamilton said. "It needs to be on the curriculum. A lot of the problems they have there are still results of colonialism and the West intervening."

He also expressed support for unity, adding, "I'm really hoping that the people who are running those different countries all unite and come together and take Africa back."

His reference to "free Congo" points toward the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) amid ongoing security and humanitarian crises in the region's east, contrasting with the backdrop of F1's new Rwandan deal.