How Lewis Hamilton went from council property to a knighthood and £250m

He is arguably F1’s biggest driver with a fortune set to crash via the £250million barrier if he does agree to hitch the enduring Ferrari crew.

Sir Lewis Hamilton had been anticipated to see out his glittering profession with Mercedes however he’s now rumoured to be on the verge of a seismic crew transfer that can shake the game.

It is yet one more extraordinary twist in Sir Lewis’ life, which started on a Stevenage council property the place his father labored a number of jobs to pay for tyres and kart gas so his prodigiously gifted son might race.

The British sports activities megastar has gained a joint-record seven drivers’ championships, tied with Michael Schumacher. He is claimed to be on the point of following considered one of his childhood heroes, and fulfilling his dream, of taking a seat with the Scuderia as early as 2025.   

From a £32million penthouse in New York to an £18million London mansion and a Monte Carlo retreat, a brand new residence in Italy may be on the playing cards if he wants a base near Maranello, Ferrari’s headquarters.

Since his debut in 2007 he has led the way in which and holds the report for many F1 wins, pole positions and podium finishes. He has additionally turn into a trend icon, a celebrated activist and was knighted in 2021 for providers to motorsport.

Hamilton has continued to discover his pursuits within the trend and music industries, whereas his just lately launched manufacturing firm are concerned in a Hollywood blockbuster starring Brad Pitt. His enterprise pursuits are vast and various, together with a non-alcoholic tequila model and his friendship group is pure A-list.

His standing away from the monitor has continued to soar additional, with Hamilton final yr having been linked to singer Shakira amid lengthy curiosity and hypothesis about his love life.

The 39-year-old may have recent hope he’ll the title once more to turn into the best ever after a poor season and dropping out on his record-breaking eighth F1 world championship title when he was pipped by Dutch rival Max Verstappen in controversial type in Abu Dhabi in 2021.  

The Ferrari deal i rumoured to return with a pay packet of at the least £40million-a-year and an opportunity to proceed his work to get extra black drivers into F1 earlier than he retires.

MailSport’s Jonathan McEvoy says that the Italian press has acknowledged that Hamilton, 39, is needed to interchange Spaniard Carlos Sainz, whose contract negotiations floor to a standstill in December. 

Hamilton is already arguably F1’s biggest ever sportsman.

Born Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, Hamilton grew up within the Hertfordshire city of Stevenage to folks Anthony and Carmen.

Hamilton’s dad and mom separated when he was two, after which he lived together with his mom and older half-sisters, Samantha and Nicola, till he was twelve.

Hamilton then lived together with his father, stepmother Linda, and his half-brother, who’s knowledgeable racing driver within the British Touring Car Championship. His father purchased him his first go-kart when he was six and took redundancy from his IT job, working jobs as a contractor, to help his son’s racing profession.

Hamilton has used his sporting prowess and fame to shine a highlight on racism, which he suffered throughout his upbringing.

For a few years he has been the one black driver in F1 and has been campaigning to encourage extra BAME folks into the game. 

He has beforehand has opened up about going through racist bullying at college as a baby in Stevenage.

The seven-times Formula One world champion, 39, detailed the horrific abuse the place fellow pupils would throw bananas at him and name him the ‘N-word‘.

Speaking to the On Purpose podcast, he stated: ‘School was probably the most traumatising and most troublesome a part of my life.

‘I used to be already being bullied on the age of six. At that individual faculty I used to be considered one of three youngsters of color and simply greater, stronger, bullying youngsters had been throwing me round a variety of the time.’

Lewis continued: ‘And the fixed jabs, the issues which might be both thrown at you, like bananas, or folks that might use the N-word simply so relaxed. 

‘People calling you half-caste and never understanding the place you slot in. That was troublesome.’

‘In my [secondary] faculty there have been six or seven black youngsters out of 1,200 youngsters and three of us had been put exterior the headmasters’ workplace on a regular basis. The headmaster simply had it out for us – and significantly me.’ 

He admitted: ‘I felt the system was up towards me and I used to be swimming towards the tide.

‘There had been a variety of issues I suppressed. I didn’t really feel I might go residence and inform my dad and mom that these youngsters saved calling me the N-word or I obtained bullied or crushed up at college in the present day, I didn’t need my dad to suppose I used to be not sturdy.’

Elsewhere within the podcast – which was recorded in November of final yr – Lewis spoke about his future after Formula One.

He stated: ‘It goes to be actually, actually onerous once I cease racing. I’ve been doing it for 30 years. When you cease, what’s going to match that?

‘Nothing goes to match being in a stadium, being at a race, being on the pinnacle of the game and being on the entrance of the grid or coming via the grid and that emotion that I get with that. 

‘When I do cease there can be a giant gap so I’m attempting to focus and discover issues that may change that and be simply as rewarding.’

Lewis has beforehand spoken about going through racism as a baby and the way his upbringing made him extra decided than ever to spark change – urging kids not quit on their desires.

In an interview with BBC News in 2020, Lewis stated: ‘For the children on the market who dream the inconceivable, don’t quit on that dream as a result of I’m dwelling proof that you could manifest your desires and even the inconceivable ones.

‘I bear in mind as a child; adults, academics, dad and mom of different drivers telling me that I’d not make it. “You’re not going to make it, go back to your country.”

‘All these horrible issues and I bear in mind considering I’m going to show you fallacious.

‘The message is for all the children on the market who really feel they do not have a voice and is perhaps dreaming of one thing or wish to dream large.’

When he started racing Hamilton shortly started successful races and cadet class championships and have become the youngest driver to win the British cadet karting championship on the age of ten.

A generational expertise, Hamilton shortly rose via the junior karting ranks and commenced his automobile racing profession within the 2001 British Formula Renault Winter Series.

He joined GP2 – F1’s second competitors – in 2006 successful the championship at his first try.

He signed an F1 contract with British crew McLaren for the 2007 season, turning into the primary, and as of but solely black racer in F1’s historical past.

Hamilton made the rostrum in his debut race and misplaced out on the driving force’s championship to Kimi Räikkönen by one level.

He gained the primary of his seven F1 world championship – his just one with McLaren – the next season after a dramatic finale in Brazil.

With the backing of the German crew Mercedes Hamilton gained six out of seven of the subsequent world championships, dropping solely as soon as to his crew mate Nico Rosberg in a dramatic and fiery title combat.

Despite dropping the crown to Verstappen in dramatic type, Hamilton appears more likely to battle on for his eight world championship.

He signed a contract that can preserve him in F1 with the Silver Arrows – however might now be shifting on.

The 39-year-old reportedly raked in £51million final yr in accordance with Forbes, with the Briton labelled as Formula One’s most marketable asset.

Hamilton had been seen with the singer quite a few instances since her cut up from ex-partner Gerard Pique. As properly as having fun with boat journeys along with pals in Miami the pair additionally dined in Barcelona after Hamilton’s second place at Grand Prix.

Shakira had additionally been pictured as Silverstone final yr, as Hamilton completed third on the British Grand Prix.

Hamilton has admitted that his way of life has modified as he approaches the latter levels of his profession, together with his enterprise empire increasing away from the race monitor.

In October, he advised CNBC that increasing his enterprise pursuits was important in giving him steadiness.

‘When I first started in Formula One, I didn’t have any leeway to do the rest, however since I’ve been with Mercedes I’ve been extra open to doing different issues exterior of the game,’ Hamilton stated.

‘Ultimately there are such a lot of enterprise ventures I’m concerned in, for instance, the film I’m concerned in producing for Formula One. I’ve a bunch of different issues I’m invested in and start-ups I’m invested in as properly. 

‘I can’t race ceaselessly, and it’s good to produce other issues that you could be artistic and faucet into. You can’t be fascinated with racing 24/7, since you’ll exit of your head.’

Hamilton’s involvement within the F1-inspired movie marked his entry within the trade, with the driving force taking part in a key position in casting selections.

The movie is considered one of two initiatives Hamilton’s movie and manufacturing firm Dawn Apollo Films – launched in 2022 – are concerned in. The second is a documentary which can chart Hamilton’s journey to turning into an F1 driver.

The Briton revealed final yr that he had been taking part in a background position within the F1 movie mission, stressing the necessity to guarantee there was various crew to assist increase the way forward for the game.

Hamilton serves as a producer of the movie directed by Joseph Kosinski, which options Brad Pitt because the lead with Damson Idris and Kerry Condon additionally included on the solid.

‘I’m extra having fun with the half within the background, ensuring that I’m actually speaking to Joe about who we’re hiring, ensuring that it is various, ensuring that the game appears the way it’s purported to look sooner or later, by way of being extra accessible,’ Hamilton advised Sky Sports final yr.

‘It’s such a privilege… as a result of we weren’t racing, we spent the entire day going via the script in London. Just to have the ability to sit there with Joe and Jerry [Bruckheimer], who’re such legends, after which sit there and watch Brad work.

‘I’m studying a lot via the method and have much more of an appreciation of what it takes to create a film.’

While Hamilton might solely have a cameo within the movie, the star revealed he beforehand needed to flip down a task in Top Gun’s sequel in 2022 on account of his Mercedes’ commitments.

Hamilton has additionally been open up to now about his love of music and confirmed in 2020 that he had featured on a 2018 Christina Aguilera track.

He confirmed rumours that he was the mysterious XNDA who featured on the monitor Pipe. 

‘Guys, I’ve spent the final 10 years or extra writing and recording, working with a few of the most gifted and exquisite folks which I’m so grateful for. It’s been probably the most unbelievable outlet,’ Hamilton wrote on Instagram.

‘Finding one thing you like a lot and might do only for you, to your spirit is I feel such an necessary course of. I’ve come to the place the place I’d like to share it with you.

‘I have never obtained a mission or album, only a bunch of various songs that maybe a few of it is possible for you to to connect with. They have helped me get via a few of the most troublesome instances.

‘At some stage I’m going to discover a second to share with you so naked with me.’

Hamilton had beforehand advised Mail Sport that he approached music as a passion, one which allowed him to indicate vulnerability. 

Hamilton’s need for peak efficiency in F1 and increasing his enterprise portfolio had been central to the star launching the non-alcoholic tequila model Almave final yr, collaborating with Casa Lumbre grasp distiller Ivan Saldana.

He claimed the choice to cease ingesting alcohol was a part of his efforts to hunt an ‘further one per cent’ to spice up performances.

Hamilton has claimed his model will ‘honour the soul of tequila’ by preserving to its traditions.

‘I’ve at all times beloved an excellent tequila, however on days or nights once I wanted a transparent thoughts – both the night time earlier than a race or whereas hanging with friends- I couldn’t discover an genuine non-alcoholic possibility that delivered on the premium high quality and expertise of my favourite full-proof tequilas,’ Hamilton stated on Almave’s web site.

‘And so started a relentless pursuit to create a non-alcoholic spirit that doesn’t compromise on authenticity or high quality.’

Hamilton can also be a co-investor within the vegan quick meals chain Neat Burger, whereas he turned a part of a gaggle together with former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to spend money on the Denver Broncos NFL crew in August 2022.

Hamilton joined the Broncos franchise as a part of the Walton-Penner household takeover.

A press release by Rob Walton, on behalf of the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, learn: ‘We’re delighted to welcome seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our possession group.

‘He is a champion competitor who is aware of what it takes to guide a successful crew and a fierce advocate for world equality, together with in his personal sport.

‘His resilient spirit and commonplace of excellence can be an asset to the possession group and the Broncos group.’

Hamilton shared his pleasure at turning into part of the Broncos crew by writing on his Twitter profile on the time, alongside a photograph of his canine Roscoe in Broncos equipment: ‘Excited to hitch an unbelievable group of homeowners and turn into part of the @Broncos story!!’

‘Honored to work with a world class crew and serve for example of the worth of extra various management throughout all sports activities. Roscoe already thinks he made the crew.’

While his pursuits have grown vastly in recent times, trend has arguably been on the prime of Hamilton’s priorities away from F1.

Hamilton turned a world ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger in 2018, shortly after the style model turned a companion of Mercedes.

‘Lewis is daring in every thing he does,’ Tommy Hilfiger advised GQ after confirming the partnership with Hamilton, highlighting his attraction to the model.

‘He’s not afraid to take dangers. And he has a cool and complex type that actually speaks to the brand new era of Tommy followers.

Hamilton has launched a number of collections with the model, whereas his trend selections on the grid have continuously garnered consideration throughout F1 seasons.

Hamilton is a menswear ambassador for The British Fashion Council, providing help and recommendation on key points going through the British design trade. He has additionally been a daily attendee at main trend reveals, together with Paris Fashion Week and the Met Gala.

The Mercedes driver was listed in listed as considered one of Sports Illustrated’s ‘Fashionable 50 Icons’ in 2019, whereas he has labored with Esquire, L’Officiel, Vogue, ICON and Men’s Health.

It was maybe no shock the, that when Hamilton launched his non-alcoholic tequila model, he spoke in regards to the product in an interview with Vogue.

Hamilton’s pursuits away from the game have solely furthered expanded F1’s attain to a wider viewers. 

This has solely been furthered by his earlier high-profile relationship with Nicole Scherzinger, in addition to rumours final yr that Hamilton had been relationship Shakira.

Despite his high-profile way of life, pursuits and social activism away from F1, Hamilton’s shock transfer to Ferrari confirms the game will stay his final focus for the foreseeable future.