He has shattered records and left his rivals in his rearview mirror. Here’s why Lewis Hamilton is a Here’s why Lewis Hamilton is a dynamo on and off the track…
Sir Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly one of the greatest racing drivers Formula 1 has ever seen. From his beginning in karting to winning seven World Championships, he is known for rewriting the rule book.
His name is said with the same reverence as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. Lewis has followed his path unapologetically by shattering records, ruffling feathers and challenging norms, becoming not only a champion on the track but off it too. He’s an advocate for social justice, diversity and environmental action; a man who not only defies expectations but inspires those around him, too, and never backs down from a challenge.
IN 2008, LEWIS MADE HISTORY WHEN HE WON HIS FIRST DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MCLAREN FOLLOWING A TOUGH RACE IN BRAZIL. AT THE TIME, THIS MADE HIM THE YOUNGEST FORMULA 1 CHAMPION EVER
His early years
Lewis was born on 7 January 1985 in Stevenage, England. From a very young age, he displayed a keen need for speed; his dad bought him a radio-controlled car when he was six years old, and at age eight he made his debut in the world of karting.
Lewis has said he was bullied at school and took up karate to defend himself; he was also keen on football and cricket – if racing didn’t work out, he wanted to be a soccer player. However, it was not long before his driving skill started setting him apart from the pack.
His rise through the ranks was rapid and he dominated the local circuits and outpaced his opponents in every competition. His aggressive racing style was noted and his innate knack for reading the track’ worked in his favour.
When Lewis turned 13, he was signed to McLaren’s young driver development programme. What made this significant was not only that it was a sponsorship, it also promised him a Formula 1 seat in future.
While at McLaren, Lewis dominated the junior racing categories, mastering Formula Renault and Formula 3. Eventually, his name was called to race in the big leagues and, while his junior years showed rapid growth, Lewis had a lot more to achieve in the future.
Pole position
Lewis’s debut with McLaren, in the 2007 Australian Grand Prix, was nothing short of astounding (coming third in that race). As a newcomer he continued to make his mark right from the very beginning, securing podiums in his first nine races. He had already begun breaking records, as this had never been achieved by any other rookie in their first year.
This same year, Lewis came astonishingly close to winning the driver championship, falling short by just one point. This showed everyone in motorsport that Lewis had the hunger and the skill, and it wouldn’t be long before he dominated. His driving style was aggressive, meticulous and controversial at times, but it became clear that a new era of F1 had begun.
In 2008, Lewis made history when he won his first driver championship for McLaren following a tough race in Brazil. At the time, this made him the youngest Formula 1 champion ever, and secured his place among the greats. But it was only the start. Over the years, Lewis has had a career of dominating the tracks and outperforming his opponents with stealth, strategy and sheer skill.
In 2013 Lewis decided to move from McLaren to Mercedes. At the time, Mercedes hadn’t yet made its mark in Formula 1 and many critics questioned Lewis’s choice.
Was this the right move for such a talented driver? Well… no risk, no reward. From 2014 Lewis and the Silver Arrows became an unstoppable force and changed the face of the sport.
Between 2014 and 2020 Lewis went on to win six driver championships. This tied him with the iconic Michael Schumacher, who won seven titles, and he broke nearly every major record in Formula 1 including most wins and most pole positions.
Lewis’s decision to move over to Ferrari in 2025, after what has been a fruitful relationship with Mercedes, has been criticised by many. Is Lewis making a mistake? Will he be able to guide Ferrari towards race strategies that result in podiums? Or will this move be the one that ends his career? Only time will tell.
Off the track
Beyond the track, Lewis stands out among athletes. He is known not only for his stealth on the track but also for his bold fashion choices and his social and environmental activism.
He has redefined what it means to be a sports star by combining the worlds of sport, fashion and celebrity. He often makes headlines for his style choices, collaborations with brands and for appearing at high-profile fashion events such as the Met Gala and Paris Fashion Week.
@ladymollyelizabeth Lewis Hamilton’s beautiful #metgala meaning #f1style ♬ original sound – molly
A standout moment was his collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger in 2018. The Tommy x Lewis collection merged Lewis’s love for streetwear and high-end fashion, while also highlighting sustainability and inclusivity. This led to partnerships with other prominent designers such as Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli, who had Lewis appear alongside Zendaya in his famous PINK PP collection campaigns.
In 2021, Lewis used his established presence in the fashion world to make a political statement at the Met Gala. He stepped onto the carpet wearing a custom Kenneth Nicholson design featuring a black suit with a sheer lace train and a white shirt. The ensemble was a tribute to black designers and showcased Lewis’s commitment to using fashion as a platform for change.
Lewis invited Kenneth, along with fellow black designers Edvin Thompson and Jason Rembert, to join him at his table, making a powerful statement about diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry.
Lewis has also launched his own racing-inspired streetwear brand called +44 (proceeds of which go to his Mission 44 charitable foundation). Sustainability and inclusivity are at the very centre of the brand as it offers a range of clothing that seamlessly balances contemporary streetwear with eco-friendly production practices.
@mission44 Mission 44 Founder, Lewis Hamilton on being excluded from school, inclusive education and our national campaign #preventexclusions ♬ original sound – Mission 44
BEING THE ONLY PERSON OF COLOUR WHO WAS SUCCESSFUL IN HIS FIELD MADE HIM DETERMINED TO BUILD A FAIRER, MORE INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE FUTURE FOR YOUTH AROUND THE WORLD
Equal playing field
Lewis uses his platform for more than just his passion for fashion. He is known as a fierce advocate for racial equality (he has revealed he encountered severe racism as a teen in his early days of racing) and has pushed for change in motorsport. In 2020 he launched the Hamilton Commission alongside the Royal Academy of Engineering, which presented an opportunity to simultaneously address the underrepresentation of black people in UK motorsport, as well as within the STEM sector.
The inspiration behind his foundation, Mission 44, launched in 2021 to champion and empower young people, came from his first-hand experience of an education system that worked against him. Also being the only person of colour who was successful in his field made him determined to build a fairer, more inclusive and diverse future for youth around the world.
Lewis Hamilton is far more than simply a racing driver… he is an innovator, disruptor and advocate for change. His seven World Championship titles and multiple records reinforces his status as one of the greatest drivers to ever compete in Formula 1. But winning podiums isn’t the only legacy he will leave behind. His ability to impact the lives of those around him and to make significant changes will continue to empower the next generation for years.
As Lewis takes the next step in his career and dons the scarlet Ferrari racing suit, we know that his story is far from over.
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Words by: Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Images: Gallo/Getty Images
