Lewis Hamilton has opened up about his long-standing relationship with fashion in Formula 1, highlighting how race and representation have shaped his personal and professional journey. The seven-time world champion reflected on how Black men have historically needed to be overachievers just to be seen as equals, stating, “Black men have always had to be more excellent than our white counterparts.” His comments were shared in the Met Gala edition of Vogue magazine.
Now 40 years old, Hamilton is set to co-host the prestigious Met Gala in New York next month. His history with the event dates back to 2015, and he notably hosted a table for young Black designers in 2021. Known for his bold, individualistic fashion choices, Hamilton has often stood out in the Formula 1 paddock, deliberately breaking away from the tradition of drivers arriving in team-branded gear. He revealed that his early fashion statements were met with resistance, recalling how one senior figure in F1 looked him up and down in disapproval. At the time, he was wearing clothes from the streetwear brand FUBU and Timberland boots.
Hamilton said the experience left him feeling the need to conform, pressured not only by the sport’s expectations but also by his father’s desire for him to fit the mold. That pressure intensified when he entered Formula 1 in 2007 with McLaren. Despite finishing second in the world championship in his rookie season, he described the discomfort of being restricted to team kits and suits. He admitted he “felt horrible” wearing them, as they didn’t allow him to express his true self.
Over time, Hamilton found the confidence to challenge those norms. He pushed back against the unwritten rules of how a Formula 1 driver should dress, declaring his right to arrive at the track in outfits of his own choosing. “I’m here now – you can’t get rid of me or change the way I dress,” he said. Although the initial backlash was intense, his influence gradually began to shift the culture. Other drivers took notice, and the paddock slowly began to embrace more personal styles, with Hamilton’s own arrivals becoming something of a fashion runway.
Ironically, in his first season with Ferrari, Hamilton has only worn his own clothing on five of the 18 track days so far. Nevertheless, his impact on the sport’s style culture is unmistakable. While currently seventh in the F1 drivers’ standings—trailing leader Lando Norris by 52 points—Hamilton remains focused on his ultimate goal. This year, he is chasing a historic eighth world title with Ferrari, following 12 years and six championships with Mercedes.
Hamilton’s journey speaks not only to his achievements on the racetrack but also to his continued challenge of tradition and expectation in a sport that, until recently, left little room for personal identity. Through fashion, he has forged a path that merges style, self-expression, and resilience in a space that has often resisted change.
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