Lewis Hamilton: Seven-time world champion &  Mission 44 founder

Lewis Hamilton has won seven world titles. This week, the headline isn’t about a podium

The Visit

On Tuesday, Hamilton arrived in Egypt’s Al Arish to see first-hand how humanitarian and relief aid bound for the Gaza Strip is received. The North Sinai governorate said the visit included a tour of the Rafah border crossing and the Egyptian Red Crescent’s aid warehouses in Al Arish. He was also briefed on how aid is prepared and coordinated before it goes into Gaza.

A Rare Sight

It’s a rare sight, a Formula 1 driver in aid warehouses rather than the paddock. It also comes in the middle of his season: Hamilton sits fourth in the drivers’ championship, with three races remaining. The title has already gone to Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, so the visit fits into a quiet stretch of the calendar.

A Track Record of Causes

The Egypt trip fits a pattern. Reuters describes Hamilton as an advocate for humanitarian and charitable causes who has also backed relief initiatives and efforts to support people affected by conflict.

Mission 44: His Proudest Work

The foundation of his off-track work is Mission 44, which he launched in 2021 with a personal pledge of £20 million. The name nods to his car number. The aim is to support young people from underrepresented backgrounds in education and careers.

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But It Is Personal Too

For Hamilton, it’s personal. He is dyslexic, struggled at school and was expelled at 16. He has said it is his proudest achievement, and the charity’s chief executive Jason Arthur described its mission this way: there is talent in every community, but opportunity isn’t spread evenly.

The Charity Is Growing

The charity has grown fast. In July, it was reaching 550,000 young people, with a target of five million by 2031. It works across the UK, the US and Brazil, and has partnered with F1 since 2024 to create apprenticeships for young people from underrepresented groups. In July, it also expanded a partnership with HP into the UK, focused on preparing young people for the future of work, and it was named Official Charity Partner of the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

What It Says About Him

At 41, Hamilton is in the late stage of his career, and the trophies are only part of what he’ll be remembered for. His work off the track sits alongside them, from a charity built around young people’s opportunities to hands-on visits to aid operations.

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