Hamilton urges freedom for Palestine and DR Congo as Rwanda F1 race criticised

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, has renewed his call for freedom in Palestine, DR Congo, Sudan and Syria, speaking at a news conference on Thursday ahead of Sunday's United States Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old Ferrari driver was asked about Formula One's decision to award a Grand Prix to Rwanda in the early 2030s. "I think we need to make sure we're pushing to free Congo, free Sudan, free Syria, free Palestine," he said, adding that he hoped for peace. Hamilton, who has long called for a ceasefire in Gaza and is the sport's first and only Black champion, said an African race would make more people aware of the continent.

Rights groups criticise Rwanda race

Campaigners at Amnesty International recently accused Formula One of "hollow words" and of offering Rwanda a "sportswashing prize" — a term used for countries seen as using sport to improve a tarnished image abroad.

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has been accused of using repressive methods to hold on to power, with opponents dying in prisons and independent media muzzled. Neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo joined the criticism of the race, and Rwanda is accused by the DRC, the United States and United Nations experts of backing the M23 rebels fighting in the DRC.

Hamilton said he does not choose where the sport goes and that problems exist all over the world. He said going to Rwanda did not mean neglecting what is happening there, and that he hoped the race would prompt people to educate themselves about the country and the continent's history.

"Growing up in England, they never taught us anything about Africa. It needs to be on the curriculum," he said, adding that many of the region's problems were the result of colonialism and Western intervention.

'A dream' of racing in Africa

Hamilton said a race in Africa was a dream that could keep him in the sport longer. "I'm now forced to stay a lot longer because we have a race in Africa," he said.

The British driver turns 42 in January and has a contract for 2027. Fernando Alonso, the oldest active F1 driver at 45, recently signed up for another season with Aston Martin. Kimi Antonelli, 20, who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes last season, encouraged him: "You got to do at least the first one."

Hamilton said he had held countless meetings with Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali and with African presidents in his push for a race on the continent, which last hosted a Grand Prix at South Africa's Kyalami circuit in 1993. "It's about more than just one country. It's about the continent itself," he said.

Source: Al Jazeera.