In the fast lane
From motor racing to staying in fashion, Lewis Hamilton is focused on being the very best he can be.
YOU may know him as a threetime Formula One world champion, but there is much more to Lewis Hamilton than his love for fast cars and motor racing. The man certainly does not hold back when it comes to living his life.
“Music, art, photography,” says Hamilton, listing out some of the many varied interests he has. “It’s more than just having an appreciation for those things. I’m talking about making real music, for instance. I’m actually learning to play the piano.”
Hamilton, after all, has the freedom – when he is not racing – to enjoy the finer things in life. The 31-year-old is fortunate enough that he is able to indulge in the spoils of being both successful and creatively curious.
He clinched the Formula One driver’s title last year and in 2014, and is currently battling to complete a hat-trick. His very first title win was in 2008, whereby he became the then-youngest world champion in history.
Hamilton does not seem keen in having his life defined by those wins alone though. He states: “I have a lot more to offer than just racing. Racing is not the smallest part of my life, but it is also not the biggest.”
During the interview with Star2, which took place at Sepang International Circuit a day before the 2016 Malaysia Grand Prix commenced, Hamilton points out that it is difficult to predict the outcome of motor racing.
“I’m not not confident about it. But I don’t really know what’s going to happen. I’m in a much different position than in the past,” he notes, regarding his chances of making it to the first spot by year end.
The Malaysian leg of the Formula One race saw Hamilton’s engine literally going up in smoke. He nevertheless, finished first in the recent United States and Mexican Grand Prix, and is currently placed second in the overall standings – just 19 points behind his teammate Nico Rosberg.
“I would say my driving style is adaptive. People may have the impression that I’m an aggressive driver, but I can be laid-back as well. It’s about being good in all areas. So I’d like to think that I’m an all-rounder,” he says.
Off the track, Hamilton has been spotted at some of the most prestigious runway shows around the world. He is also known to have rubbed shoulders with bigname designers in the industry.
While currently known as a snappy dresser, he reveals that it has not always been the case. When he was young, all the money he had apparently went into racing. He did not grow up rich too.
“I didn’t have cool clothes back then. I probably had only one pair of trainers. I’d arrive at school and everyone else would be in cool things, but I didn’t have all those,” explains Britain-born Hamilton.
Today, his Mercedes AMG Petronas team is sponsored by Hugo Boss. Making a team appearance at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur for the brand, he was spotted wearing a Boss bomber jacket and trainers – fashion items which represent “his style”.
“I had so many fashion faux pas in the past. And now I go to all these events, and I’ll be in a Vogue column somewhere talking about the way I dress, which is very encouraging,” Hamilton adds with a laugh.
“I would say it was from 2008 or 2009 onwards that I really tried to discover the style that I’m most comfortable with. Before that, my fashion sense was terrible. It’s just gotten better and better.”
The fashion picture we have here (and on the cover) show him wearing the Boss for MercedesBenz Autumn/Winter 2016 collection. It reflects Formula One racing, with the Mercedes-Benz design and Boss’ attention to craftsmanship.
While there are talks about him eventually designing his own line of clothes, Hamilton says that it will only happen if he collaborates with someone. He respects what fashion designers do, and thinks not everyone has the talent.
“I’ve never tried to design, so I couldn’t honestly tell you whether I’ll be good at it. I do love clothes and it will be really cool to be able to do some kicks at some stage. Have my own trainers one day.”
When asked, Hamilton jokes about hating the fact that he has to wear the same outfit at all the races. If he had the choice, he would get rid of the team’s uniforms and appear at each leg of the race with a different look.
“When I go for fashion weeks, in the same day I might change three to four outfits to attend different shows. It’s crazy. It’s also real work changing, but I happen to really enjoy doing it.”
On the subject of dealing with haters, he states: “I just focus on being me. I think there was a time in my younger days where things said about me would affect me, but I feel like I have grown to a point where
I don’t need to respond.
“I just focus on me and try to be the greatest I can be.”