HOW LEWIS HAMILTON’S RACE SUIT IS WORTH £112m!
Lewis Hamilton launches his bid for a fifth Formula one title on sunday armed with a 1,000-horsepower engine and £112million in sponsorship. the reigning champion, 33, begins his 12th season as heavy favourite given the recent supremacy of his mercedes team, who have won every drivers’ and constructors’ title since 2014. this dominance has seen them establish incredible financial pulling power, the full extent of which is revealed by Sportsmail today.
Hamilton’s race suit this weekend will be emblazoned with the logos of 12 sponsors, including that of parent company mercedes-Benz, who contribute 10 per cent of their annual turnover to Formula one operations.
these deals will boost the team’s coffers by £112m in 2018 — to put that into perspective, manchester City’s kits will feature around £95m worth of sponsorship from next season. Hamilton also has separate personal endorsements with several of the companies, adding £10m to his annual income.
the Briton is set to sign a new three-year contract worth £120m with mercedes. His current deal expires at the end of the year and talks over an extension started before Christmas.
team boss toto wolff said interests outside the sport were a key factor for Hamilton, who became tommy Hilfiger’s global brand ambassador last week.
‘He’s a good negotiator in the same way that he’s a good racing driver,’ said wolff. ‘we’ve discussed our visions for the future, how lewis sees himself in the sport going forwards, his other interests and our expectations. we’d rather have it done properly in a contract than leave things open.’