# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
LEWIS HAMILTON has once again proven his generosity to charitable causes after ranking FIFTH in the Sunday Times' 2022 Giving List.

The seven-time F1 world champion, 37, leads the sporting world in donations.

According to data from the Charities Aid Foundation, Hamilton has given away a staggering £20m in recent months alone.

The Mercedes racer has an estimated 2022 wealth of £300m - meaning he's given away nearly seven per cent of his earnings to charity.

Hamilton has helped a number of vital causes, most-notably in youth, education and employment.

Last year, the Brit legend launched a commission to identify the causes of the lack of people from diverse backgrounds in motorsport and donated £20m to help under-represented young people in Britain.

Liverpool footballer Mohamed Salah is the only other sportsperson to crack the top ten.

The Egyptian winger, 30, gave away a little over six per cent of his earnings - estimated at £41m - to health causes across the globe.

Salah's Reds team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the only other footballer to crack the top 100.

The midfielder, 28, donated 0.25 per cent of his annual income to sit 64th on the list.

In recent years, Salah has bought a new ambulance centre and oxygen tanks for the hospital in his hometown in Egypt to help tackle Covid.
SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY
That puts Oxlade-Chamberlain above David and Victoria Beckham, who sit equal-65th.

The power couple donated £1m to charitable causes in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion - 0.24 per cent of their annual income.

Charities Aid Foundation chief executive Neil Heslop OBE thanked the generous celebrities for their donations throughout the year.

But Heslop was quick to point to the younger generation of sports stars, celebs and businesspeople for helping to drive change.

Heslop said: "The new generation of younger philanthropists are using their platforms to exert influence, and amplify the impact of
significant sums of money responding to climate change.

"Next generation givers are driving real change in the sector.

"We are seeing more and more use of social media and social movements to drive the agenda towards positive social progress with younger donors seeking to get actively involved in producing tangible impact.

"This includes younger change-makers of colour using their positions and success to promote change, as illustrated by some of the famous names in this year's Giving List."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Generous Lewis Hamilton 5th on Sunday Times' 2022 Giving List with Mo Salah 8th

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
LEWIS HAMILTON has once again proven his generosity to charitable causes after ranking FIFTH in the Sunday Times' 2022 Giving List. The seven-time F1 world champion, 37, leads the sporting world in donations. According to data from the Charities Aid Foundation, Hamilton has given away a staggering £20m in recent months alone.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton | A Kid With A Dream · #WhatsYourDrive · EP01

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A-list stars give Lewis Hamilton their support in F1 title battle

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Soccer Aid 2012: Lewis Hamilton in Manila

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hamilton opens up on his experiences of racism, inequality and diversity in F1

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sir Lewis Hamilton on Being Knighted by King Charles, Begging to Be in Top Gun & Formula 1 Racing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Every Black kid in the world will, at some stage, experience racism.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton Discusses Racism in Formula 1: Drive To Survive | Netflix

# data[].attributes.headline
4.1 From a celeb about a celeb - George Lucas about Lewis Hamilton

# data[].attributes.subject
4.1 From a celeb about a celeb - George Lucas about Lewis Hamilton

# data[].attributes.body
“Heroes are bigger than champions,” Lucas said, “Lewis just earned hero status.” - that is how american filmmaker sees Hamilton and it is just another example how respected he is.

# data[].attributes.body
“When we will change?
It’s okay to listen
It’s okay to question our way of living
Racial inequality hides in plain sight
We breathe the same air, let’s fight the same fight
Let’s work together
Let’s go the distance
Let’s show compassion
Let’s show persistence
We are in control of our own existence
Build or destroy, we all know the difference
We’ve waited patiently to have this conversation
We are no longer waiting
In the name of justice we raise our voices
We learn, we grow, we make our choices
Let’s choose respect
Across the world the youth connect
A small change can have a huge effect
Let’s excel together
We’ll share this world forever
The path ahead is a long, winding course
In the race for equality, commitment is the driving force.”

# data[].attributes.body
Unfortunately, in 2021 Lewis lost a race in Abu Dhabi which was very controversial. The last lap of the race was held in conditions only beneficial to his competitor - Max Verstappen, who got his first world champion title after winning with Lewis.
Everyone was waiting for Lewis's comment after the race as it was very unfair. Hamilton surprised the whole world with a very respectful and classy interview where he congratulated Max.
He also shared something that left people speechless. Throughout all season Lewis was wearing T-shirts with lines from a poem written by George The Poet.
22 races and 22 lines of the poem. Maybe he didn't get the eight world titles but to us all - he is the winner anyway.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Rob Hoskin

may not be the World Champion in 2021 but he came out of Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with his head held high.

In the F1 finale, the Mercedes driver led by around 11 seconds inside the final 10 laps.

But a freak series of events meant that Hamilton and Max Verstappen would have a one-lap race to decide the title.

Verstappen had the fresher tyres and Hamilton had no answer for the Dutchman.

It was controversial, to say the least.

To go from almost certainly winning the Drivers' Championship to losing it in a crazy scenario must have been tough to take.

Fans waited for Hamilton's reaction after the race. They were expecting him to be absolutely fuming at seeing his rival beat him in those circumstances. The post-race interview was going to be box office.

Instead, the Brit gave an incredibly classy response immediately afterwards.

"Firstly, big congratulations to Max and to his team," the Mercedes driver said.

"But I'm so proud of my own team and we gave it absolutely everything. I've felt great in the car the last couple of months. We'll see what happens next year."

What a true champion.
QUIZ: The Ultimate Lewis Hamilton Quiz
It's something we've seen throughout this season from Hamilton.

He's developed into a role model, speaking out about serious matters and behaving in a dignified manner off the track.

An element of that has been the pre-race t-shirts Hamilton has been wearing throughout this season with an important message on it.

But what fans may not have realised is that each t-shirt was a line in a poem in collaboration with George The Poet.

Hamilton revealed as much in an Instagram post in October when he wrote: "Each race weekend, I've been wearing a line of the poem on a tee designed by a rising artist of colour. Keep your eyes out for the full poem coming together across the remaining tees of the season."

And now, the entire poem has been revealed.

Lewis Hamilton's poem in full

Thanks to a user on Reddit, the poem reads:

22 races. 22 t-shirts. One beautiful poem to fight racism.

He may not be the World Champion but Hamilton really is the King.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton's pre-race t-shirts throughout the entire F1 season have spelt out a poem

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Rob Hoskin may not be the World Champion in 2021 but he came out of Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with his head held high. In the F1 finale, the Mercedes driver led by around 11 seconds inside the final 10 laps.

# data[].attributes.headline
Social Media - platform to encourage people to fight with him

# data[].attributes.subject
Social Media - platform to encourage people to fight with him

# data[].attributes.body
The Englishman has always been using social media platforms to reach out to his fans to help him with environmental changes. Whether it is about the climate, being vegan, not using plastic, going greener in general or just stopping and thinking for a second about the planet - he is always giving people a reason to be grateful for what they have.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lewis Hamilton has said the he feels like "giving up" with his fight to raise awareness for climate change and has called for more people to become vegan.

Hamilton, who inched closer to a sixth world championship with third place at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, took to social media on Tuesday to call attention to the affects that eating meat is having on global carbon emissions.

"Extinction of our race becoming more and more likely as we over use resources," Hamilton said in one Instagram post of a series.

"I'm sad to see so many people, even close friends ignore what is happening daily.

"Honestly, I feel like giving up on everything. Why bother when the world is such a mess and people don't seem to care?"

Hamilton, who has been on a plant-based diet since 2017, opened his own vegan burger chain just off London's Regent Street last month, called Neat Burger. Hamilton paired up with Beyond Meat and UNICEF ambassador Tommaso Chiabra to found the company that uses plant-based meat alternatives, as well as stocking the Just Water brand launched by Jaden Smith.

The full, unedited transcript of the posts can be seen below.

"Hey world. I hope everyone's enjoying their day.

"I'm sad right now with the thought of where this world is going. Extinction of our race is becoming more and more likely as we over us our resources.

"The world is a messed up place. World leaders either uneducated or don't care about the environment at all.

"Agriculture farming is the largest pollutant we currently have by over 50 percent, far more than out travel industry combined.

"I'm sad to see so many people, even close friends ignore what is happening daily. Education is key and we were taught that eating animal products was good for us but we've been lied to for 100s of years.

"It's taken me 32 years to understand the impact I'm having on the world and I'm figuring out daily what I can do to play a better part. I want my life to mean something and honestly up until now my life's had no meaning.

"Being part of the solution is and I'm striving to do better. I urge you, to do some research, find the compassion I know you have within you to recognise what you are in terms of what you eat which keeps the meat and dairy industry flourishing and therefore deforestation, animal cruelty, ours seas and climate decaying on a daily basis.

"Go vegan, it is the only way to truly save our planet today. It can be done so quickly, all you have to do is put your mind to it.

"Honestly, I feel like giving up on everything. Shut down completely. Why bother when the world is such a mess and people don't seem to care.

"I'm going to take a moment away to gather my thoughts. Thanks you to those of you who do give a damn about the world."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hamilton on climate change: 'I feel like giving up'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lewis Hamilton has said the he feels like "giving up" with his fight to raise awareness for climate change and has called for more people to become vegan. Hamilton, who inched closer to a sixth world championship with third place at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, took to social media on Tuesday to call attention to the affects that eating meat is having on global carbon emissions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
He is famous for zooming around on a race track at hundreds of miles per hour, but now Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton is giving himself a different kind of challenge - attempting to be carbon neutral by the end of the year.

He spoke to journalists on Thursday about his growing concerns over the environment and said he has changed aspects of his lifestyle to try to help cut his carbon footprint, which has included selling his private plane and introducing a ban on plastics in his daily life.

However, some people have criticised him and feel his position is confusing, because the environmental footprint of Formula One is very high.

Hamilton, who has been a vegan since 2017, has defended his environmental concerns and has called on everyone to try to make a difference.

He said he intended to make himself carbon-neutral by the end of this year, explaining that he is swapping his fuel-reliant road cars for electric cars.

"I don't allow anyone in my office, but also within my household, to buy any plastics," he said.

"I want everything recycle-able down to deodorant, down to toothbrush, all these kind of things."

"I sold my plane over a year ago. I fly a lot less now. I try to fly less through the year and mostly fly commercial so that's been a big change in my habits."

Responding to criticisms about his job as a racing driver who travels all over the world, Hamilton said: "I know it's not the easiest for me because I know we are travelling around the world and racing Formula One cars, (and) our carbon footprint is higher than the average homeowner who lives in the same city.

But that doesn't mean you should be afraid to speak out about things. I'm always looking at things and how I can improve the effect that I'm having on the world."

He was positive that F1, which has embraced hybrid technology as part of the engine, could also do more to make a difference. Hybrid technology is a mixture of electric and non-renewable fuel, which reduces emissions.

"I still love racing and I want to continue. If you look at our sport, it's shifted, using a third less fuel now. There is more I think F1 can do and they are putting plans together but you have to push all the industries, you have to push F1 to do more."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton on mission to be 'carbon neutral' - CBBC Newsround

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
He is famous for zooming around on a race track at hundreds of miles per hour, but now Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton is giving himself a different kind of challenge - attempting to be carbon neutral by the end of the year.

# data[].attributes.headline
10.2 Hamilton wants to be carbon neutral

# data[].attributes.subject
10.2 Hamilton wants to be carbon neutral

# data[].attributes.body
He truly cares about our planet and he is doing everything he can to be carbon-neutral. From being vegan to not permitting people to use any plastic or non-recyclable items in his household or office.
Lewis also sold his private plane and many of his cars. Now he is using an electric Smart car and tries to limit any travel if they are not absolutely necessary.
Moreover, Hamilton wants to convince Mercedes to remove all the leather interiors in their cars and is currently working on this with the company.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
British racing driver Lewis Hamilton aims to be carbon neutral by the end of the year. The F1 champ's vegan diet is one way he lowers his environmental footprint.

Hamilton adopted a plant-based diet in 2017. He made the decision after watching "What The Health," a documentary that studies the connection between diet and disease. The athlete said going vegan helped him feel "the best I've ever felt in my life."

Since the switch, Hamilton has been vocal about his plant-powered lifestyle, speaking not only about the health benefits but the ethical factors, too. He wrote about animal cruelty on Instagram in May. "It is such a cruel world, how can somebody do these things to other beings. Gives me so much pain in my heart," the driver said.

Diet and the Environment

Now Hamilton is turning his attention to the environmental aspect of the lifestyle. He took to social media after the Japanese Grand Prix to say: "Extinction of our race is becoming more and more likely as we overuse our resources. "

Hamilton highlighted that agriculture is the "largest pollutant," generating more greenhouse gas emissions than the world's total transportation sector.

He said he's sad to see people "ignore what is happening daily."

"Education is key and we were taught that eating animal products was good for us but we've been lied to for 100s of years," he said.

Hamilton urged people to research the livestock industry - especially deforestation, ocean impact, climate change, and animal cruelty - and to "find the compassion I know you have within you."

"Go vegan, it is the only way to truly save our planet today," Hamilton said. His statement aligns with research that states that a plant-based diet is the kindest to the environment. The world's most comprehensive analysis of farming and the environment, conducted by Oxford researchers, found that a vegan diet is "the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth, not just greenhouse gases, but global acidification, eutrophication, land use and water use."

Lewis Hamilton's Impact on the Planet

Hamilton's words prompted some to point out that the driver travels to races around the world, thus increasing his environmental footprint. But the athlete stood by his statements, saying that he's working to be better.

He said recently told The Sun that he was "inspired" by a documentary to "do more." He revealed plans to become carbon neutral before next year. At his office and in his household, he does not permit people to buy any plastics. "I want everything recyclable, down to deodorant and toothbrushes," he said.

Hamilton explained that he sold his plane more than a year ago. He said, "I fly a lot less now. I'm trying to fly less through the year, I'm mostly flying commercial, so that's been a big change in my habits."

He avoids trips if he can, tries to holiday in the UK instead of overseas, just acquired an electric Smart car, and has sold many of his cars. The racer is also working with Mercedes to replace its all-leather interiors.

He added, "I'm constantly making changes but it's not a quick fix but I feel positive that I'm making those changes, and I'm encouraging people around me. "

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton Says He'll Be Carbon Neutral By the End of the Year

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
British racing driver Lewis Hamilton aims to be carbon neutral by the end of the year. The F1 champ's vegan diet is one way he lowers his environmental footprint. Hamilton adopted a plant-based diet in 2017. He made the decision after watching "What The Health," a documentary that studies the connection between diet and disease.

# data[].attributes.body
In 2020 he appeared at the WE Day UK and in the interview, he raised his concerns about climate change and directed his message to teenagers and everyone on social media to use it as their tool to spread the knowledge. He wants people in our generation to be more aware of their actions and their impact on the environment.
“We’re so fortunate to have and occupy this planet, so we better start treating it right.”

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lewis Hamilton is a six-time Formula One World Champion, but he's on track to make an impact beyond the sport. He appeared at WE Day UK on March 4, 2020, to urge young people to take action on the global climate crisis. Backstage, he opened up about discovering his new purpose and using his platform to raise awareness.

This year, we celebrate the 50th annual Earth Day. The first Earth Day, in 1970, changed the world, helping launch the modern environmental movement. This year, events in 184 countries were set to draw more than one billion people. And then COVID-19 happened.

Now we're marking Earth Day in our homes, physically distancing, likely distracted by other issues, from the pandemic to the economic downturn. But climate change hasn't gone away. And Hamilton's words serve as a reminder that we have a collective responsibility to future generations-and individual power to make a difference.

"It's going to take all of us to come together, being united, to make small changes in our lives," he says. "We're so fortunate to have and occupy this planet, so we better start treating it right."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
This Earth Day, Lewis Hamilton is fighting climate change

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lewis Hamilton is a six-time Formula One World Champion, but he's on track to make an impact beyond the sport. He appeared at WE Day UK on March 4, 2020, to urge young people to take action on the global climate crisis. Backstage, he opened up about discovering his new purpose and using his platform to raise awareness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lewis Hamilton stormed to a superb victory from sixth on the grid in the Turkish Grand Prix to seal his seventh world championship title, and was overcome with emotion after he crossed the line to take the win.
The Mercedes man had struggled for grip and pace all weekend, but drove a brilliantly-managed race in changeable conditions and on a very slippery Istanbul track to climb through the order as drivers up and down the field were suffering slips and spins throughout the Grand Prix.
RACE REPORT: Hamilton seals historic 7th title with peerless wet-weather victory in Turkey
And the moment he took the chequered flag, he knew he had equalled the great Michael Schumacher's record of seven drivers' championships - in the same season he matched and then beat the German's record of 91 F1 wins.

He was initially speechless after he finished the race, but eventually did manage to send out a message to all his fans.

"Thank you so much guys," he said. "That's for all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it too man! I believe in you guys! Thank you so much everyone for your support."

Tap play in the video above to watch the moment Hamilton made yet more racing history.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
MUST-SEE: 'That's for all the kids who dream the impossible' - the moment Lewis Hamilton sealed his 7th title | Formula 1®

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lewis Hamilton stormed to a superb victory from sixth on the grid in the Turkish Grand Prix to seal his seventh world championship title, and was overcome with emotion after he crossed the line to take the win.

# data[].attributes.body
After getting his seventh world champion title in 2020, Lewis said on the radio which was streamed on TV: "Thank you so much guys," he said. "That’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it too man! I believe in you guys! Thank you so much everyone for your support."
It is incredible that in his first words after making history Lewis dedicated the title to all the kids who may struggle with believing in themselves.

# data[].attributes.body
Lewis has always been using his popularity to spread awareness about different issues around the world including environmental ones. He is actively taking part in various movements along with encouraging everyone he can reach to join him in the journey of improving our planet.
It does not matter if it is through his private social media or interview - he will always try to inspire people.

# data[].attributes.headline
"The significance of having the courage to speak out on important issues and standing up for others."

# data[].attributes.subject
"The significance of having the courage to speak out on important issues and standing up for others."

# data[].attributes.body
"The power of Influences & Inspiration"
Lewis created guidance with MasterClass, which is an online platform where thousands of celebrities share their knowledge and inspire people to become whomever they want.
In his class, he talks about the motorsports world and shares tips on how to become a successful driver. His lesson consists of 12 points, and since Lewis's persona is about making the world better so his students are presented with one point called

"Influence the World Beyond Your Own".
He talks about the environment and awareness of our daily choices. Lewis is always trying to become a better person and help others do the same by giving an example.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lewis Hamilton is now Sir Lewis Hamilton after being knighted in recognition of a glittering career in Formula One just days after he controversially lost out on a record eighth title. Britain's former world champion was honoured by the Prince of Wales during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony on Wednesday.

He was joined by his mother, Carmen Lockhart, and was all smiles as they posed for pictures in the castle's quadrangle. The 36-year-old becomes the fourth grand prix driver to be knighted, following in the footsteps of Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart, and the first to be awarded the honour while still competing.

Hamilton was recognised in the new year honours list following a record-breaking 2020 in which he eclipsed Michael Schumacher's all-time victory tally and emulated the German by winning a seventh world title. But on Sunday, the Mercedes driver's Red Bull rival Max Verstappen claimed his first Formula One world title after his season-long battle with Hamilton came down to a highly controversial one-lap shootout in Abu Dhabi.

The deployment of the safety car after a late crash at the Yas Marina circuit wiped out the lead Hamilton had built over the Dutchman, and Verstappen had the advantage as he was using fresher tyres.

Sir Lewis Hamilton with his mother, Carmen Lockhart, after the F1 star was knighted at Windsor Castle. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

After the Red Bull driver stormed past Sir Lewis - who missed out on a fifth title in succession - the British driver said on the car radio: "This has been manipulated, man," but he was later magnanimous in post-race interviews. He told Sky Sports at the time: "Congratulations to Max and his team. I think we did an amazing job this year. Everyone back at the factory and here worked so hard in this most difficult of seasons."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Arise, Sir Lewis: Hamilton knighted three days after F1 title heartbreak

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lewis Hamilton is now Sir Lewis Hamilton after being knighted in recognition of a glittering career in Formula One just days after he controversially lost out on a record eighth title. Britain's former world champion was honoured by the Prince of Wales during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony on Wednesday.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The 36-year-old was awarded his knighthood and the resulting title in the 2021 New Year Honours list after matching Michael Schumacher with his seventh Formula 1 World Championship.

Mercedes' driver missed out on a record eighth title this season after a nail-biting conclusion to the F1 season in Abu Dhabi as Max Verstappen took the title for the first time. But Hamilton will be back to try and break the record in 2022 alongside new team mate George Russell.
TREMAYNE: Why Hamilton's grace and dignity in defeat will only add to his legend
The Silver Arrows did however take a record eighth consecutive constructors' championship with Hamilton finishing second and Valtteri Bottas sixth to winner Verstappen on Sunday.

Hamilton appeared at Windsor Castle alongside his mother Carmen, who watched her son become the fourth Formula 1 driver in history to be knighted, following on from Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jack Brabham.

Hamilton is also set to attend the end-of-season FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Paris on Thursday alongside the newly-crowned champion.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Seven-time F1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton knighted at Windsor Castle | Formula 1®

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The 36-year-old was awarded his knighthood and the resulting title in the 2021 New Year Honours list after matching Michael Schumacher with his seventh Formula 1 World Championship. Mercedes' driver missed out on a record eighth title this season after a nail-biting conclusion to the F1 season in Abu Dhabi as Max Verstappen took the title for the first time.

# data[].attributes.headline
8. From a celebrity to a knight - Sir title

# data[].attributes.subject
8. From a celebrity to a knight - Sir title

# data[].attributes.body
Hamilton received a Sir title in 2021 in the Windsor Castle.
Not only his talent, and determination were acknowledged but also the fact that he is a person with a big hear that wants to help change the world for a better place. Lewis gained his respect all around the world and The Royal family decided to honour him with the Sir title.
He was knighted by the Prince of Wales with only three days after missing out on the eight world title.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton: The Winning Formula (Official Trailer)

# data[].attributes.headline
7. Documentary movie "Lewis Hamilton: The Winning Formula"

# data[].attributes.subject
7. Documentary movie "Lewis Hamilton: The Winning Formula"

# data[].attributes.body
In 2021 Lewis decided to do a movie with Entertain Me Productions about his journey of becoming 7 times World Champion. It's about his dreams, courage, determination, his image and brand. Hamilton promotes a lifestyle unseen in Formula One along with driving not to collect more titles but to change the old-fashioned motorsport world.

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks to his charity work Sir Lewis Hamilton found himself in fifth place for the most charitable people in the UK in 2022, with donations that are almost 7% of his personal wealth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton ranks fifth on the giving list: The Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is now the fifth-most generous person in Britain after shedding £20m last year in charity donations. With this feat, he also surpassed Liverpool's Mo Salah and Rapper Stormzy's. Follow Formula 1 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.

The Giving List which is a part of the 2022 Sunday Times Rich List, uncovers the people who have given the biggest amounts to noble motivations or causes which are worthy.
Also Read: Formula 1: FIA vs Drivers - FIA President SLAMS Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel for 'RAINBOW & human rights campaign' Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton ranks FIFTH on 'Giving List', check out how much he has DONATED to charities?
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time F1 champion was ranked fifth last year as he shed out a whopping £20m away. Meanwhile, it is just 6.7 percent of his personal wealth which is more than £300m.

On top of it, Lewis Hamilton is the only black driver present in the sport and also the only black driver to have graced the pinnacle of motorsport. He gave his fortune to his Mission 44 establishment which means to assist individuals from under-addressed bunches with acquiring potential open doors in schooling and business.

Formula 1: Sunday Times Rich List's Giving List: Top five of 2022

Sir Chris Hohn donated £347.4m. Total worth: £2.6bn

Alan Parker donated £251m. Total worth: £2.8bn

Sir Paul Marshall donated £58.9m. Total worth £680m

Lord Edmiston donated £55m. Total worth £763m

Sir Lewis Hamilton donated £20m. Total worth £300m

Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton ranks FIFTH on 'Giving List', check out how much he has DONATED to charities? Also Read: Formula 1: Mercedes to celebrate PRIDE MONTH in unique fashion, changes team logo - Check Out
Some famous personalities are also present in this table like Liverpool's Mohammed Salah. He is currently eighth in the rankings and he shed out £2.5m from his wealth, which is just 6 percent of his £41m worth.

Rapper Stormzy was eleventh in the rankings and he gave around £1.2m, which is 4.6 percent of his £26m worth. There were some other names alongside Hamilton, Salah, and Stormzy, more well-known names inside the Giving List top 50. These names included Sir Elton John, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Cara Delevigne, and three individuals from Coldplay.

Moreover, Hamilton enjoys his big wealth and also owns some of the exclusive toys. The yacht that he was spotted on during the F1 Monaco Grand Prix weekend was a Sunseeker 90. He had purchased that back in the year 2009 for a revealed price tag of $4m (presently £3.1m). However, the new models of the yacht can now bring up to £9m.
Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton ranks FIFTH on 'Giving List', check out how much he has DONATED to charities? Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton ranks FIFTH on the 'Giving List'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton ranks fifth on the giving list: The Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is now the fifth-most generous person in Britain after shedding £20m last year in charity donations. With this feat, he also surpassed Liverpool's Mo Salah and Rapper Stormzy's. Follow Formula 1 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton launches Mission 44 charitable foundation with personal pledge of £20m

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lewis Hamilton has made a personal pledge of £20m as F1's seven-time world champion launches a new charitable foundation to support underrepresented groups in the UK.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Every young person deserves the chance to thrive no matter what their background.

Through grantmaking, research and advocacy, we want to disrupt the status quo and build a fairer society.

We fund bold organisations, leaders and ideas who share our vision for a more inclusive future.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Transforming the lives of young people from underserved backgrounds.

# data[].attributes.body
In 2021 Hamilton announced his charitable foundation "Mission 44" and pledged £20 million to it.
The aim is to empower and support young people from underrepresented groups throughout the UK and in the future worldwide.
"Every young person should have the chance to succeed in education, work and life" - that's what we can read on the website and basically what Lewis believed his whole life, and now decided to do something about it.

# data[].attributes.body
The first and only Black driver in the Formula One world was not quiet about the murder of George Floyd in 2020. During the Austrian Grand Prix, he wore a BLM T-shirt and kneeled. Some drivers refused to do the same and that's when he told them -"silence is complicit". In the end, all of them wore "End Racism" T-shirts with 14 drivers kneeling and 6 standing behind them.
Just a week later raised his fist in the Black power salute after winning a race in Syria. Moreover, he used social media power to call out his competitors and friends who stayed quiet about the case.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In 2012 Malaysian GP, Lewis Hamilton stunned the fans by skipping the celebration party to visit poverty-affected kids in the Philippines.
Lewis Hamilton has always come to the forefront to help people who are affected by social and economical issues. But the Briton surprised the f1 community in 2012 when he chose to visit some poor kids on the streets of Manila instead of visiting an F1 champagne party in Malaysia.

During his visit to Manila in 2012, He spent two days with UNICEF and helped made a short film on the lives of poor street kids in the Philippines. The Englishmen also spent some time with children who struggle to get food and stay healthy.

After the shoot, he mentioned the struggle faced by these children. Moreover, Lewis Hamilton expressed how poverty-deprived children around the world are facing abuses and violence.

He said, "I hope that we have managed to make a film that will show the harsh reality for children who live on the streets in Manila and around the world."

Moreover, "The young boys and girls who I have met today are really fantastic children, but they are living without the simple things that most people take for granted, like food, clean water and a safe place to sleep at night."

The UNICEF short film was aired on ITV 1 in the UK for Soccer Aid on May 27 2012. The charity raised over $4.9 million in 2012.
Also Read: Helmut Marko glad Red Bull proved their champion wrong
Lewis Hamilton's history with charities

Lewis Hamilton has supported charities like Ormond Street Hospital, Harlem Children's Zone, Save the Children, The Honeypot Children's Charity, and UNICEF.

The Mercedes driver is one of the most generous athletes. With an estimated $300 million wealth, Lewis Hamilton has donated over 7% of his wealth to charitable causes.

This year alone, he donated an astonishing $ 20 million to aid children, education, and employment.

Hamilton's Mission 44 charitable foundation

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton launched his 'Mission 44' foundation and pledged $20m to help people in Britain with employment opportunities and the education system.

The foundation focuses on the representation of youth that helps create positive change in society. With an objective to improve background representation, the foundation looks to offer opportunities that support people to their full potential.
Also Read: Daniel Ricciardo's $10 million sacking has been the toughest decision claims McLaren boss
Being at the front of Mission 44, Lewis Hamilton also pledged to give a $20 million donation with the Mercedes team supporting the organisation for financial aid.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton once helped raise $4.9 Million for a UNICEF charity in Philippines - The SportsRush

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In 2012 Malaysian GP, Lewis Hamilton stunned the fans by skipping the celebration party to visit poverty-affected kids in the Philippines. Lewis Hamilton has always come to the forefront to help people who are affected by social and economical issues.

# data[].attributes.body
In 2012 so just the beginning of becoming a worldwide celebrity Lewis helped UNICEF to raise almost $5 million for charity in the Philippines.
He chose to spend two days in Manila visiting poor kids instead of partying with other drivers at the post-race party in Malaysia. While his visit there he saw the harsh daily-based reality of not getting food or water.
Hamilton helped to shoot a movie about these struggles and after that, he admitted that kids all around the are facing violence and abuse every single day.
Lewis wanted to help with the short documentary as he said, “I hope that we have managed to make a film that will show the harsh reality for children who live on the streets in Manila and around the world.”

# data[].attributes.headline
6. Even bigger heart than the talent - CHARITIES 

# data[].attributes.subject
6. Even bigger heart than the talent - CHARITIES 

# data[].attributes.body
Lewis's childhood was definitely not like a fairytale. His parents divorced when he was 2 years old and he moved into his father's house, who worked three jobs to make racing possible for his son. Lewis stayed positive and grateful for everything by getting inspiration from his stepbrother, who suffers from cerebral palsy. All the difficulties gave Hamilton motivation and he never gave up.
Now that he is successful and has enormous influence he is doing everything he can to help people all around the world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton in Manila with UNICEF for Soccer Aid 2012

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lewis Hamilton's participation at the Monaco Grand Prix has been in doubt over his refusal to comply with an FIA clampdown on drivers wearing jewellery when racing

Lewis Hamilton has remained defiant in the face of the FIA clampdown on drivers wearing jewellery.

The issue has been vociferously debated in the past month, with Hamilton clashing with F1 bosses at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix. After being warned that the rule was going to be enforced strongly, he turned up for his Thursday media duties sporting multiple watches, rings, and piercings.

He also said he would be prepared to boycott the race if organisers continued to insist upon the measures. Eventually, he reached an agreement to officials, taking off his earrings to compete whilst being given a two-race exemption for his nose studs.

That exemption has expired following the race in Miami and then Spain last weekend, but the seven-time world champion has doubled down on his stance in Monaco. And that's despite a warning from former F1 driver Alex Wurz, now heavily involved in driver safety, that the ban was for the 'right' reasons.

"It's not been a problem in the past and there's no reason for it to be problem necessarily now," Hamilton told reporters. "Honestly, I feel like there's just way too much time and energy being given to this.

"I've said everything I feel I need to say on it in the last races and that's not what my focus is this weekend. "[I've been] taking out my [ear] studs for every time I've been in the car, and I will continue to do so. The nose ring is not a problem, at the moment."

Hamilton did reveal he was still holding discussions with the FIA, and also questioned why the sport was suddenly so keen to embrace the measure: "Look, [the jewellery rule] came in in 2005," he continued.

"I think we've all worn jewellery our whole careers in Formula 1. It definitely is positive that we're working with [the FIA] and I think they're accommodating a little bit at the moment."

And the 37-year-old, who has long called for more diversity in F1 and spoken out on a range of issues, reiterated that the sport should be focusing elsewhere: "We shouldn't have to keep on revisiting this thing every weekend. We've definitely got bigger fish to fry."

Indeed, Hamilton himself is undoubtedly more concerned with getting his 2022 campaign up and running, having shown more pace in Spain last weekend. He finished fifth in the Grand Prix, after recovering from an early puncture.

However, Mercedes struggled again in Friday's first practice in Monaco. As per usual in 2022, it was Ferrari and Red Bull who dominated, with Charles Leclerc quickest ahead of Sergio Perez, Carlos Sainz, and Max Verstappen.

Hamilton meanwhile, was down in 10th after narrowly avoiding going into the wall. Teammate George Russell was eighth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton doubles down on jewellery stance as FIA row rumbles on

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lewis Hamilton's participation at the Monaco Grand Prix has been in doubt over his refusal to comply with an FIA clampdown on drivers wearing jewellery when racing Lewis Hamilton has remained defiant in the face of the FIA clampdown on drivers wearing jewellery.

# data[].attributes.body
After being threatened with a fine, Lewis showed up to his media conference covered in all kinds of jewellery and accessories. He decided that if he would be forced to take off his race-day jewellery he won't race.
Hamilton's reaction was related to his awful experience of being bullied or picked on his whole life - mostly because of his race. Now after racing for many years (with the same "no jewellery" rule) FIA chose to make a fuss about small earrings and nose stud. Lewis decided that it was finally time to stand up for himself. “People love to have power, and to enforce power,” he said in the interview with Vanity Fair.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Animal" on the grid and in fashion world

# data[].attributes.subject
"Animal" on the grid and in fashion world

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The collaboration between PUMA and Lewis Hamilton is best described as "A perfect Fit". "A good relationship means happy people, communication and respect between each other - that´s key", said the seven time world champion. By matching Michael Schumacher´s long-standing record of titles Lewis Hamilton is now unquestionably one of the greatest racing drivers of all time and as well on his way to being "Forever Faster". The young British talent began his relationship with PUMA in 2013 when he moved to the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, who have been supplied by PUMA with all technical clothing and footwear since 2012. This includes providing e.g. the race suits plus race boots and with the objective of securing the drivers' competitiveness and safety through high-end lightweight fabrics and fireproof materials.

"We definitely have got the highest tech racewear kit,"

- Lewis Hamilton -

"Though such a development process does take its time. PUMA has been very responsive and quick to support us." The direct interaction between driver and race gear supplier is key to assure the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team receives the best quality and fit they need on their quest for the podium.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
PUMA and Lewis Hamilton celebrate 7 World Champion Titles and 7 Years of Partnership

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The collaboration between PUMA and Lewis Hamilton is best described as "A perfect Fit". "A good relationship means happy people, communication and respect between each other - that´s key", said the seven time world champion.

# data[].attributes.headline
Shining bright like a diamond with IWC - Lewis just loves "the blink"

# data[].attributes.subject
Shining bright like a diamond with IWC - Lewis just loves "the blink"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lewis Hamilton is not only the measure of all things on the racetrack. The British racing driver is also a fashion icon, and he has even made an appearance as a singer. Recently, however, the 31-year-old has taken on another mission: Using his influence to draw attention to underrepresentation, he campaigns for more diversity and inclusion in his sport. Now, Hamilton also stars in IWC's new global advertising campaign, which focuses on his evolution from a "driver of the fastest cars" to a "driver of change". Misan Harriman shot the imagery. Born in Nigeria and raised in the UK, the renowned photographer recently made history by becoming the first black person in the 104-years of British Vogue to shoot the cover of the magazine's September issue.

After the shooting, Hamilton and Harriman sat down for an intimate conversation, touching on many of the issues that matter to them. The British racing driver reveals that chasing records now matters less to him than writing the future of his sport, paving the way towards greater diversity and inclusion. "I was always chasing that win for personal desire, for my family who believed in me from day one. Now it's amazing that I can use that platform to bring attention to things and empower people", explains Hamilton. The two also elaborate on the efforts put in place by both the Hamilton Foundation and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula One™ Team to encourage youngsters from diverse backgrounds to pursue an education as engineers to get into motorsport eventually.

During the conversation, Hamilton also talks about his passion for music. "I am not great at the guitar, but I love playing. You don't have to be the best at everything. But the great thing about music is learning something new, finding new pathways in your mind to release feelings". Looking back to their childhood days, Hamilton and Harriman reveal they both had dyslexia, a learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading or writing. The two cover many more topics, including Hamilton's evolution to a style icon or his journey to go vegan. The encounter ends with an uplifting quote from Hamilton: "I dream of a day when it is equal for everyone. That you have equal opportunities, no matter where you come from, where you start from - not being disadvantaged already from the day you are born".

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
IWC JOURNAL: Harriman and Lewis Hamilton | IWC Schaffhausen

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lewis Hamilton is not only the measure of all things on the racetrack. The British racing driver is also a fashion icon, and he has even made an appearance as a singer. Recently, however, the 31-year-old has taken on another mission: Using his influence to draw attention to underrepresentation, he campaigns for more diversity and inclusion in his sport.

# data[].attributes.headline
5.1 Jewellery scandal - “I’ve never loved being told what to do.”

# data[].attributes.subject
5.1 Jewellery scandal - “I’ve never loved being told what to do.”

# data[].attributes.body
As much as Lewis loves racing and fashion, his heart is also close to earrings, necklaces, rings, and all kinds of accessories. In the F1 world there are specific rules that forbid wearing any jewellery during the race, yet, Hamilton was always racing with two earrings and a nose piercing.
FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) gave a warning to the drivers during the Miami Grand Prix 2022 which was clearly directed to Lewis as he is the only driver with any piercings and his response was phenomenal...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled.

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-lewis-hamilton-goes-pink-with-zendaya-in-groundbreaking-collaboration-with-billion-dollar-fashion-house/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.embed_code
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Valentino (@maisonvalentino)

# data[].attributes.body
Despite being an incredible driver, Lewis is iconic when it comes to fashion. His grid outfits are always like straight from the catwalk. Hamilton's sense of fashion brought him collaborations with the best designers in the world such as Valentino or Hilfiger but the list of his "fashion industry fans" is longer!

# data[].attributes.body
"They all came to meet F1's only superstar, Lewis Hamilton," Fans react as Michael Jordan, Serena Williams headline celebrity attendance at Miami GP " FirstSportz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"They all came to meet F1's only superstar, Lewis Hamilton," Fans react as Michael Jordan, Serena Williams headline celebrity attendance at Miami GP " FirstSportz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fans say that Lewis Hamilton is the sole star of the Miami Grand Prix as celebrities come to meet him ahead of the race.

# data[].attributes.body
10 famous personalities Lewis Hamilton has dated during his F1 career

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lewis Hamilton is arguably the biggest superstar in F1 and has been one ever since his debut in 2007. He is the only driver who has been able to perfectly blend the 'Hollywood' side of the sport with the actual racing.

Hamilton has nurtured great friendships with many celebrities over the years. This was evident after the 2022 F1 Abu Dhabi debacle as multiple celebs came out in support of him and claimed him 'getting robbed' last season.

Concurrently, though, Hamilton has been in a relationship with quite a few celebrities. Perhaps the most famous was the one with singer Nicole Scherzinger, which was a feature early in his career. Since it ended, the Mercedes driver has been linked with quite a few other people. In this piece, we take a look at a few celebrities that Lewis Hamilton has been involved with over the years.

10 famous people Lewis Hamilton has dated over the years

#1 Nicole Scherzinger

I honestly still think Lewis Hamilton's true love was Nicole Scherzinger but they just met at the wrong time 🤧❤️‍🩹 https://t.co/I5whp38EId

Nicole Scherzinger was in an on-again, off-again relationship with Lewis Hamilton during the early phases of his career. Their relationship lasted for a long time, from 2007 until 2015. Ultimately, in 2015, the two went their separate ways.

#2 Danielle Lloyd

While still a teenager, Lewis Hamilton dated model and television personality Danielle Lloyd in 2002 for around six months. With the Mercedes driver's busy racing schedule as he competed in the British Formula Renault Championship, the couple could not make the long-distance relationship work and split up.

#3 Jodia Ma

Lewis Hamilton dated Jodia Ma for 4 years. The two met at the Cambridge School of Arts and Science while he was still trying to chart a path towards F1. The two parted ways by the time the Briton reached F1 in 2007.

#4 Lotta Hintsa

Lotta Hintsa, a former Miss Finland, was another high-profile celeb whom Lewis Hamilton reportedly dated. Hintsa was the daughter of Hamilton's F1 mentor Aki Hintsa, who passed away in 2016. The relationship was never confirmed by either Hamilton or Hintsa.

#4 Vivian Burkhardt

It was a relationship that did not last too long. Vivian Burkhardt represented Grenada in the Miss World pageant in 2007 and subsequently dated the McLaren driver at the time. The couple appeared at a few events together but split up only a few months later.

#5 Rihanna

Lewis Hamilton and Rihanna have been known to be friends for a long time. The Barbadian superstar even posted words of encouragement when Hamilton won the title with Mercedes.

During the 2016 summer break, Hamilton went to the Caribbean islands to spend some time there. It was here that some pictures of Rihanna and Hamilton together were published in the media. Although neither has ever come out and spoken about dating each other, there have been rumors that the two were together for some time.

#6 Rita Ora

Rita Ora is yet another pop star whose name was reportedly linked to Hamilton in 2016. She made an appearance in that year's F1 title decider between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. The two were spotted publicly on numerous occasions but never confirmed their relationship to the world.

#7 Barbara Palvin

Throw 🔙| Barbara Palvin with Lewis Hamilton at the amFAR's 23rd cinema against aids. (May 19, 2016) https://t.co/4pdtRUr08l

Hamilton and Victoria's Secret model Barbara Palvin were first spotted together after the 2017 F1 Monaco GP. There were rumors of a relationship between the pair when a year later Hamilton uploaded a video of the two in a hotel together. Palvin did go on to visit the race tracks at the 2017 F1 European, Hungarian, and Monaco GPs during that time.

#8 Winnie Harlow

Rumors of Lewis Hamilton dating model Winnie Harlow first emerged after the GQ Awards in September 2016. They were also pictured together at the amfAR Gala in Cannes in May 2017. As it turns out, these were only rumors and were never addressed by either Hamilton or Harlow.

#9 Sofia Richie

In 2017, Hamilton was rumored to be dating singer Lionel Richie's daughter Sofia Richie. He was on the front row with Sofia during an appearance at Paris Couture Fashion Week back in January. He had also taken her on a lucky date in May.

None of these rumors, however, were addressed and the duo was not seen together in public after that.

#10 Nicki Minaj

The most recent relationship for the Mercedes driver was with Nicki Minaj. There were reports that the two were dating as they were spotted at New York Fashion Week in 2020.

Nicki Minaj and Lewis Hamilton have reportedly getting close close. They are currently in Abu Dhabi enjoying each other's company 👀 Barbie got a real Ken now https://t.co/5ysJoTLHyh

The duo had also shared pictures on social media of a getaway in Dubai at the time but since then there hasn't been any development on this front as well.

647 votes

Quick Links

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 famous personalities Lewis Hamilton has dated during his F1 career

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lewis Hamilton is arguably the biggest superstar in F1 and has been one ever since his debut in 2007. He is the only driver who has been able to perfectly blend the 'Hollywood' side of the sport with the actual racing. Hamilton has nurtured great friendships with many celebrities over the years.

# data[].attributes.body
Lewis Hamilton enjoys celeb bromances

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
LEWIS HAMILTON is at the top of the tree in the sports' world, so it's only natural A-list celebrities would levitate towards him.

The Formula One world champion, gunning for a record sixth Silverstone win this weekend, has amassed a group of male mates from the world of sport, music and even Hollywood.

Whether it's sharing tips on fashion to teaching celebs how to drive, Hamilton, 34, has got it all covered.

And he even has his own wingman too... here's his greatest bromances.

KANYE WEST

When you're friends with hip-hop star Yeezy, he'll only tell you straight.

Hamilton and West's paths continually cross, especially when the Mercedes driver is hanging out in LA with the rapper's sister-in-law, Kendal Jenner - who is one of his closest mates.

And there was one particular time when the Gold Digger hitmaker took Hamilton to one side and told him to ignore all the haters after the five-time champion was pictured recording music in the studio.

"I went to see Kanye at his house and he goes, 'You know, me and you are very much the same', Hamilton said in an interview with City A.M.

"He said, 'I'm big in the music world but I'm trying to do what I love in fashion and people don't like it.

"You're big in your racing world but you love your music and people will probably struggle to accept that. You need to do what you love and not give a f*** about what anyone thinks'".

Now if that's not sound bro advice, we don't know what is.

DAVID BECKHAM

Considering both Becks and Hamilton are British sporting royalty, you'd think they'd be rivals competing for endorsements.

However, the pair are good mates - and were even spotted watching the Super Bowl in 2014 together.

If that's not enough, they've always been gracing the red carpets of events such as the Vanity Fair Oscar party and more in unison.

Beckham even showed his support for his buddy at the Bahrain Grand Prix back in March, cheering his pal on to victory in the Middle East.

The former Manchester United star also got emotional for Hamilton in 2017 - when he won his fourth World Championship.

Becks shared an image of Hamilton lifting a Union Jack on Instagram and captioned it: "A true champion from a young age he knew what he wanted and knew how to get it... Hard work and dedication ... Congratulations mate on yet another championship"

With Hamilton being a die-hard Arsenal fan, we wonder if Becks teases him about the times he got one over the Gunners?

NEYMAR JR

The PSG forward, and most expensive player ever, has a bond with Hamilton that knows no ends.

In fact, Neymar Jr shared a snap of the pair together in Doha, the night before the Qatar Grand Prix, enjoying a night out.

"My bro from another mother," Neymar Jr wrote on Instagram as he celebrated their friendship.

A day later, and Neymar Jr was in the pit hugging his mate.

However, just because they're close, it doesn't mean that they do everything together... especially when it comes to skydiving.

On his Instagram stories, Hamilton once said: "Tried to get my bro Neymar to come skydive with me this morning.

JARED LETO

Who else could the most eligible bachelor in sport lean on when it comes to needing a wingman?

After all, Hollywood heartthrob Leto is a single man who attends all the same parties as Hamilton, and the pair share a love for attractive ladies.

Leto and Hamilton also seem to have an eye for fashion, often spotted at all the major fashion weeks around the world together.

After a Balmain fashion show in 2017, the pair were spotted at dinner with Kris Kardashian - the matriarch of the reality TV family.

And they even have similar taste in clothing - sporting streetwear so bright it wouldn't have been misplaced if it appeared on Liberace.

WILL SMITH

When you're mates with an actor renowned for his comic timing, you know you'll be in for laughs.

Smith and Hamilton have become the ultimate Laurel and Hardy act, often sharing their clownery on social media.

The two are thick of thieves, and once before a race in Abu Dhabi Smith shot a video pretending to kidnap his mate.

Hamilton was left tied up in his dressing room, while The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor put on his racing attire and threatened to replace the Grand Prix whizz in the hilarious clip.

A year later, Smith's son Trey, himself a boy racer, challenged his dad to a race.

As part of his Bucket List series, Smith couldn't decline. Knowing he needed some expert help, he enlisted the services of his pal who taught him how to drive in another brilliant video.

JUSTIN BIEBER

The biggest pop star on the planet is perhaps Hamilton's best mate.

Hamilton loves taking Biebs out for a spin, often driving him around the streets of LA in his £1m LaFerrari.

The two bros took in an NBA game in 2016 - watching the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Bieber also loves celebrating with Hamilton at the after parties of a Grand Prix, especially in Monaco where they've been seen several times.

But now Bieber is a married man, after getting hitched to Hailey Baldwin last year, their bromance has cooled slightly.

And even though the two dated the same girl - Sofia Richie - just a few years ago, they didn't fall out over it. In fact, it just seemed to make their love for each other stronger.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton enjoys celeb bromances with Becks, Kanye West, Will Smith & more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
LEWIS HAMILTON is at the top of the tree in the sports' world, so it's only natural A-list celebrities would levitate towards him. The Formula One world champion, gunning for a record sixth Silverstone win this weekend, has amassed a group of male mates from the world of sport, music and even Hollywood.

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks to his talent he gained enormous popularity and started his celeb "bromances" along with dating famous people. He was spending his free time in the company of celebs like Justin Bieber, Will Smith, Nicole Scherzinger, Kanye West, The Kardashians, and many, many more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
s Lewis Hamilton rose through the ranks of competitive go-karting, his father, Anthony, told him: "Always do your talking on the track." Lewis had a lot to talk about. Bullying and racial taunts were a consistent feature of his childhood in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, a new town 30 miles north of London; his dad taught him the best response was to excel at his sport.

The trouble was he didn't have many people to talk to about what he was going through. Lewis is mixed-race, born to a white mother, Carmen Larbalestier, who raised him until he was 12, when he went to live with his Grenadian-British father, from whom she had separated. "My mum was wonderful," he tells me. "She was so loving. But she didn't fully understand the impact of the things I was experiencing at school. The bullying and being picked on. And my dad was quite tough, so I didn't tell him too much about those experiences. As a kid I remember just staying quiet about it because I didn't feel anyone really understood. I just kept it to myself." Sport offered him an outlet. "I did boxing because I needed to channel the pain," he says. "I did karate because I was being beaten up and I wanted to be able to defend myself."

I understand where he's coming from; I too grew up in Stevenage. Hamilton's mother and I went to the same school - though not at the same time. As close to London as it was, it might as well have been in a different universe. In London the Black experience appeared authentic; in Stevenage it felt synthetic. Race in London was something you read about in the papers; race in Stevenage was something you didn't even acknowledge. I was 22 before I found my first Black male friend.

Racing was a release for Hamilton, who is now Stevenage's most famous progeny. "I got in a car and I was the only kid of colour on the track. And I'd be getting pushed around. But then I could always turn their energy against them. I'd out-trick them, outsmart them, outwit them and beat them, and that, for me, was more powerful than any words."

We meet on Zoom, with Hamilton sitting in front of a huge TV, on a massive sofa, in the otherwise featureless motorhome he uses for European races. Today it is parked on site at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet ahead of the French Grand Prix. His oval, caramel-complexioned face is framed by well-groomed facial hair, and a hint of his plaits poke out from the back of his head. He chats in an unguarded, reflective manner without guile or jargon, gesturing with his hands, but only occasionally cracking a smile.

On the track Hamilton talks with the greatest authority. At 36, he is the most accomplished Formula One driver of all time, with 98 grand prix wins, 100 pole positions and 171 podium finishes. The only meaningful record he hasn't broken is the number of drivers' championships won, where he is tied with Michael Schumacher at seven. Put bluntly, he's the best the world has ever seen and is still at the top of his game.

But in the past year, off the track Hamilton has started to find a voice about his racial identity. He has been taking a knee; raising a clenched fist. Long dormant concerns about racism and discrimination have been rudely awakened following the Black Lives Matter uprisings. In the process, Hamilton has transformed the way he sees himself: from a compliant go-with-the-flow character to a change agent who is determined to make waves. He has shaped the way others see him too, going from an inoffensive, if gaffe-prone, socialite focused only on his sport, to a politically aware role model conscious of his wider cultural significance. Now, he is about to take on the sport that brought him fortune and fame, with a commission demanding racial diversity and meaningful outreach to underrepresented groups - as well as more racial equality in general.

t's been a long journey for Hamilton, and there have been bumps along the road. "I'd be in Newcastle and people would shout, 'Go back to your country,'" he says. "Or in Spain, in 2008, when people painted themselves black and put on wigs, and were really mocking my family. And I remember the sport not saying anything about it."

Even playful attempts to refer to his race felt perilous. After stewards (the officials who police races) penalised him for two collisions in Monaco in 2011, he was asked: "Why are you such a magnet for stewards? You obviously feel you are being targeted." Lewis replied, laughing: "Maybe it's because I'm Black. That's what Ali G says, I don't know." The Telegraph ran a headline: "Lewis risks disciplinary action after astonishing outburst".

"It often felt that maybe I didn't speak about [race] in the right way, or wasn't great at explaining it, or maybe educated enough to talk about it," he says. "Either way, I got a lot of pushback and it seemed like more hassle than it was worth. So I reverted to just doing my talking on the track."

If he had anything to say, he would do so privately. He remembers returning from the British Cadet Karting Championship in 1995, age 10, singing Queen's We Are The Champions in the camper van with his dad. "No one saw it. We didn't do it in people's faces. We had so much against us."

Last year, that attitude changed. Before the Austrian Grand Prix, just a month after George Floyd's murder, Formula One's only ever Black driver donned a Black Lives Matter T-shirt and took the knee. When some drivers refused to follow his lead, he warned them that "silence is complicit ". In the end, they all wore End Racism T-shirts and 14 drivers joined him in the gesture, while six stood behind.

A week later, after he won the Styrian Grand Prix, also in Austria, he raised his fist in a Black power salute. He also called out his competitors on social media: "I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice," he wrote. Then he came for Formula One as a whole. "It's lacking leadership," he told the New York Times. "It shouldn't be for me to have to call the teams or call the teams out." At the same race, Formula One, which controls the cameras broadcasting the event, cut away from the moment some of the drivers took the knee, to instead show Red Bull skydivers dropping from the sky.

It was as though a dam broke. "This wrath of emotions came up and I couldn't contain myself," he says, recalling this profoundly emotional moment in a matter-of-fact way. "I was in tears. And this stuff came up that I'd suppressed over all these years. And it was so powerful and sad and also releasing. And I thought, 'I can't stay quiet. I need to speak out because there are people experiencing what I'm experiencing, or 10 times worse. Or 100 times worse. And they need me right now.' And so when I did speak out, that was me letting the Black community know: 'I hear you and I stand with you.'"

I get the impression that however much he may have thought about this, he still hasn't spoken about it much. He is not reciting well-rehearsed lines; his words carry the air of a confession.

That sounds like a lot to take on, I suggest, particularly from a standing start. "I don't see it as a burden," he replies. "It was definitely liberating to be able to be open and speak about things. For people to know that there's much more to me than perhaps they realised from watching me on TV. I feel like I was built for this. There's a reason it was suppressed over all that time. And if it happened any sooner I wouldn't be ready, wouldn't be strong enough to handle it. I wouldn't be able to do my job as well and do both things at the same time. But now I'm equipped with the tools to do so. I look at my niece and nephew. I look at my little cousins. And I think, 'How can I make things better for you guys and your friends?'"

While the outrage and activism that followed Floyd's murder gave Hamilton the confidence to speak up, Black Lives Matter did not create his racial consciousness: it emboldened it. He had in the past cited Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and his own father as his role models, and Bob Marley, Nas and Marvin Gaye among his favourite musicians. (One doubts that Niki Lauda or James Hunt would ever have come up with a similar list.) He was aware his racial difference had meaning. "Being Black is not a negative," he said in 2007. "It's a positive, if anything, because I'm different. In the future that can open doors to different cultures... It will show that not only white people can do it... It will be good to mean something." He just hadn't figured out what that meaning was, what to make of it or what to do about it.

Hamilton had already found himself asking why there were so few people of colour on his team (Mercedes revealed last summer that just 3% of its Formula One staff were from ethnic minorities), and receiving unsatisfactory answers. So, in 2019, he worked with the Royal Academy of Engineering to produce some research, with a view to improving the representation of Black people in motor sport. "We had no idea the whole George Floyd situation would kick in," he says. The Black Lives Matter uprisings gave the initiative a sense of urgency and broader relevance.

The resulting Hamilton Commission will be published on 13 July. It embraces a broad agenda ranging from school exclusions (Lewis himself was excluded after a fellow pupil was attacked and needed hospital treatment, only to be reinstated when it was determined that he was wrongly identified and not involved) and anti-racist curriculums; to actively promoting Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to students of colour. It will also look at targeted programmes for graduates and those in post-16 education from diverse backgrounds, and expanded motor sport apprenticeships. Its board also draws from a broad pool of expertise and disciplines, including a Labour and a Tory MP, a Formula One grandee, a trade unionist, professors, engineers and equality campaigners.

There are over 40,000 jobs across motor sports in the UK, and less than 1% are filled by people from Black backgrounds

But for Hamilton, who has been actively involved in the commission's process, the mission is deeply personal. The quest sounds almost religious. "Over time, I've been trying to figure out my purpose. There's got to be a reason that I'm not only the only Black driver but the one at the front. And it's not just about winning. I won the world championship last year and in that year everything became visible - and I felt that my purpose was shown to me and now I'm on that journey."

Last year, as the Black Lives Matter demonstrations were escalating, Ben Carrington, an associate professor of sociology and journalism at USC Annenberg, was allowed to sit in on an informal online gathering of one of the main F1 teams. He tells me that he asked one of the team's most senior figures what he thought of Hamilton's stance and was stunned by the response. "Well, if Lewis is really so committed to that cause, perhaps he should donate all of his salary to it," the senior figure said, before going on to claim his team was so non-racial he didn't know how many Black or Asian employees there were because he doesn't "see race".

"He seemed to be insinuating that Hamilton's beliefs were not sincere and his personal wealth somehow undermined his stance," says Carrington, author of Race, Sport And Politics: The Sporting Black Diaspora. "It was such a tone-deaf and arrogant response, that would almost certainly have got that person fired if they were in the NBA or NFL. But it made me realise, Wow, this is what Hamilton is up against within F1."

In a sport that is so exclusive, racial discrimination is invariably linked to class. Hamilton's father had to remortgage his house and spend all his and his second wife's savings to get Lewis through just one year of go-karting. He was the lucky one among his peers. "We had dear friends who threw everything and the sink at it, and today don't have any money," Hamilton says.

Young Lewis found an advocate in Ron Dennis, then the owner of the McLaren team. It is said that when he was 10, Hamilton, wearing a borrowed silk suit, approached Dennis and told him he wanted to drive for him. Dennis replied, in Lewis's autograph book: " Try me in nine years." By 13, Hamilton had joined McLaren's young driver programme, and by 22 he made his Formula One debut as a McLaren driver. He went on to win the world championship in his second season in 2008. Dennis has reportedly referred to Hamilton as his "My Fair Lady project" and told Sky News last year: "Our relationship was very much positioned as surrogate father and son - and I don't think Anthony would have ever been uncomfortable with that."

Hamilton has called Formula One a "billionaire boys' club". "There's no way that we would make it now if we started from where we started," he says. He thinks that's one of the things that has driven his success. "I know how hard it was for my dad just to have fresh tyres at the weekend. It's impacted me heavily. I can't just think, 'I deserve to be here.' I can't squander this opportunity. I have to grab it with both hands and really dig deep every single time I'm in the car."

Others have it far easier. A few days after I speak to Hamilton, he comes second in the French Grand Prix. First is Max Verstappen, whose father is F1 driver Jos; third is Sergio Pérez, whose dad was a driver and agent, and who was sponsored at an early age by the son of billionaire Carlos Slim, formerly the world's richest man. And fifth is Lando Norris, whose dad has a reported fortune of £200m. The only other driver in the top five with a regular background is Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, whose dad owns a small cleaning company and mum is an undertaker.

But Hamilton is not primarily interested in opportunities for racing drivers. "There's only 20 seats in the drivers' space. That's not so important to me. But there are over 40,000 jobs across motor sports in the UK, and less than 1% are filled by people from Black backgrounds. So there's a lot of opportunity in so many different categories, not just engineering."

The Hamilton Commission's recommendations are ambitious and logical. They also include asking F1 teams to implement a diversity charter; increasing the number of Black teachers in Stem subjects; a fund to expose excluded students to Stem and motor-sport-related activities; and a scholarship programme to encourage Black Stem graduates into specialist motor sport roles. But the world is not short of commissions providing proposals on how to pursue equality in a range of areas. The challenge is making institutions adopt these plans as their own, prioritising and then enforcing them.

"I want this to be about action. I know there's a lot of commissions that perhaps don't get the backing or manage to continue," Hamilton says. "But this one has me. And I don't fail at a lot of things."

ormula One is not for everyone. Some people are compelled by strategic tyre changes, fast straights and tight corners; others are left indifferent by the sight of cars whizzing around endlessly. But Hamilton's dominance speaks for itself. And British sporting figures rarely, if ever, attain this level of international supremacy. So it is curious, I put to him, that he has never enjoyed the full-throated national acclaim that others, who have achieved far less in their fields, have done. A YouGov poll in October last year - the year he equalled Schumacher's championship-winning record - found that only 21% of Britons thought he deserved a knighthood compared with 46% who believed he didn't ( he got one in the 2021 new year honours). In another YouGov poll of the most popular all-time sports personalities, he came 37th, behind Schumacher (ninth) and the late Stirling Moss, who never won a single championship (15th). Why don't people like him more? "I'm not living my life to make everyone happy," he says. "You can't make everyone happy. People are always going to have their own opinions."

I was never media trained. Everything I say is taken literally, all the mistakes are in plain sight

He concedes some of this may be down to his numerous, if mostly minor, gaffes: taking a selfie while riding a Harley-Davidson in New Zealand; any number of reckless driving incidents off the track; and the time he directly sprayed a woman on the podium with champagne. Others have shown a tin ear, referring to Stevenage as "the slums", which he retracted immediately, or making jokes about his nephew's princess dress on social media telling him: "Boys don't wear princess dresses."

In 2010, Hamilton fired his dad as his manager. Compared with other celebrity parent/manager splits, this appeared to be relatively civilised and cordial: the inevitable, if painful, disentanglement of work and family that comes with maturity. But it was framed at the time as a callous act of betrayal. The two have since reconciled and his father is back on the team.

And then there is the challenge of aligning his lifestyle with his pronouncements. Anti-racist messages are easier to dismiss when they come from a tax haven in Monaco, where he lives; statements about climate change from the world leader of a sport that produces so many carbon emissions can also rankle. Lewis has apologised for most of these missteps, adopted veganism, sold his private jet and insisted that his Tommy Hilfiger clothing line is sustainable. He has become a strident voice for improving environmental standards in Formula One.

But criticisms seem to stick to him in a way that they don't to others. "I haven't done things in a perfect way," he accepts. "I was never media trained. I was just thrown into a room with people. And at the same time I'm probably a later bloomer, growing into my adulthood, because I'd been this kid protected by my dad for a long time. And suddenly I'm really in a man's world and I'm being asked all these questions. Everything I say is taken literally, all the mistakes are in plain sight."

This in part explains his recent support for tennis champion Naomi Osaka after she pulled out of the French Open following a dispute with organisers about her refusal to speak to journalists. He lauded her bravery. "It's not that I have an opinion about everything," he says. "But I know what it's like to be young in sport. I didn't have strong enough shoulders to do what she has done at her age. So I'm proud of her. I wish my young self had me to say, 'You're going to be good.' I had my dad. But even for him it was all new."

But there's more to Hamilton's less favoured status than that. Beyond Formula One fans, he lacks a solid constituency. He is difficult to place. The political voice of anti-racist protest he is nurturing has a long lineage from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick. But the influences on his literal voice are difficult to fathom - his accent is a kind of intercontinental, media-enunciated, home counties hybrid that defies categorisation. He's a very wealthy biracial man from a working-class background in an elite sport, from a town with which few Britons have any cultural association. He has character, but he's not a character. We have never seen or heard his like before.

He is what TV superproducer Shonda Rhimes, responsible for Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and Bridgerton, refers to in her autobiography, The Year Of Yes, as an FOD - first, only and different. "When you are an FOD," she writes, "you are saddled with that burden of extra responsibility - whether you want it or not. This wasn't just my shot. It was ours."

Watching him in 2007, when he was in serious contention for the championship during his first season, my sports enthusiast friend Kieron Rablah, who was also raised in Stevenage, told me: "When I see him on TV I just can't help cheering. I've not watched a Formula One race for 10 years. But all I keep thinking when I see him racing is: he's a Black kid from Stevenage. It's not just that he's made it to that level, which would be pretty amazing in any sport; it's that he's made it in Formula One. If you come from Stevenage, Formula One might as well be polo."

Feeling comfortable in your own skin, under those conditions, is easier said than done. "I remember not being able to be myself," Hamilton says. "Of not being able to speak the way I want to speak. That's the point of all this inclusivity: including people and not asking them to change in order to fit. I remember feeling that I had to be a different shape. The entry point to my sport was a square and I was like a hexagon, and I thought, 'I'm never going to fit through that bloody thing.' So I had to morph my way in in order to fit into that world, and then try to get back into the shape I was before."

ven as Hamilton competes for a record eighth world championship, his sights are set both on the horizon and in the rearview mirror at his legacy. "My dream when I was younger was to get to Formula One. Then I thought I would love to emulate Ayrton [Senna]. And then I reached three world championships [Senna's record before he died]. And then I'm like, shoot, now what?

"My dream now is to be a father like my dad one day, but better. Just as he wanted to be like his dad one day, but a better version of his dad. I want to carry on the Hamilton name and make him proud."

Is there something you want to tell me, Lewis? I joke.

"No, no, no, no," he laughs, bearing a big, gap-toothed smile. "I'm not there yet." Currently single, he has been linked to many models and singers over the years, from Rita Ora to Nicole Scherzinger.

But this moment is as much about how he feels about himself as his relationship with others. The athlete John Carlos once told me that when he raised his fist on the podium at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, the first thing he thought was: "The shackles have been broken. And they won't ever be able to put shackles on John Carlos again. Because what had been done couldn't be taken back... The greatest problem is we are afraid to offend our oppressors."

There is no going back for Hamilton now. The shackles have been broken. But there is more to freedom than just the breaking of chains. Isolated in his sport, nurturing his voice in public even as he continues his talking on the track, the path forward promises to be as personally fulfilling as it is politically perilous.

"We'll see where we can go," he says breezily. "As the years pass, you realise that success is a wonderful thing. But it feels relatively short-lived. And I don't just want to be remembered as a driver, because I care about so many more different things."

Gary Younge is a professor of sociology at the University of Manchester and a Type Media Fellow.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lewis Hamilton: 'Everything I'd suppressed came up - I had to speak out'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
s Lewis Hamilton rose through the ranks of competitive go-karting, his father, Anthony, told him: "Always do your talking on the track." Lewis had a lot to talk about. Bullying and racial taunts were a consistent feature of his childhood in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, a new town 30 miles north of London; his dad taught him the best response was to excel at his sport.

# data[].attributes.body
Lewis was discriminated against for his race and bullied since he was a kid but he would use his build-up anger on the track to outsmart his harassers. He was always humble and well-behaved with his father reminding him to "Always do your talking on the track". He even celebrated his first successes just with his dad away from everyone as they had so much against them.
For years he suppressed his frustrations, however, after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA in 2020 he had to take action and speak up.
He wore a Black Lives Matter T-shirt and kneeled.

# data[].attributes.body
Sir Lewis Carl Hamilton started his journey with racing at the age of 8 with major support from his family as his dad was working 3 jobs at the same time so young Lewis could race. By training hard Hamilton had one of the greatest rookie performances in Formula One history in 2007 when he was just 22 years old. He became famous by rising to the top of all-time pole positions.

# data[].attributes.body
He became the youngest world champion at the age of 23 years old and continued to amaze the racing world with his talent and determination to be the best. In his career, he collected 7 World Titles so far matching the absolute legend in Formula One world - Michael Schumacher.

# data[].attributes.body
Lewis has always been the only Black driver on the grid and in Formula One in general which made him unique.
In 2008 he became the first Black driver to win the F1 world drivers' championship.