As Hamilton prepares for his next chapter in Formula 1, making the move to Ferrari in 2025, it is evident that he is entering the later stages of his remarkable career. At the age of 39, he will soon celebrate his 40th birthday alongside his new Italian team.
The British driver has always stood out for his unique approach to racing, embracing a jet-set lifestyle and pursuing interests beyond the track, such as music and fashion. However, this was not always the case. In an interview with GQ magazine, Hamilton opened up about his early days in Formula 1 and the dissatisfaction he felt despite his success.
“When I first entered the world of Formula 1, my life revolved solely around training and racing. There was no room for anything else,” Hamilton shared. “But I soon realized that dedicating all my time to work did not bring me true happiness. I yearned for a sense of balance in my life and discovered that I was actually quite unhappy.”
“I felt like something was missing, like there was more to me than just being a Formula 1 driver,” he continued. “It was a surreal experience because I had achieved my dream of being in Formula 1, reaching the pinnacle of the sport and fighting for championships. However, the joy and fulfillment were simply not there.”
Hamilton’s candid reflections shed light on the importance of finding fulfillment beyond professional success. While his journey in Formula 1 has been illustrious, it is clear that he has learned the value of a well-rounded life and the pursuit of happiness outside of the racing world.
The seven-time Formula One Champion revealed that his interactions with individuals from the fashion and film industries have broadened his perspective on various possibilities.
“It’s like being inside a snow globe, that’s how I see the racing world,” he emphasized. “But there’s so much more beyond it that I haven’t had the time to explore. If you go to an office every day and follow the same routine, eventually you become disengaged. You need something else that can bring you comfort and keep your mind active.”
While pursuing his off-track interests primarily in music, film, and fashion, Hamilton faced significant criticism. He explained, “As I delved into my creativity and learned how to express myself…”
“I received a lot of backlash from the media. People judged me, saying, ‘This isn’t how a racing driver should behave.’ ‘This isn’t what a racing driver does.'”
“I went through a phase where I realized that I can’t race forever. When I eventually retire, I want to leave on a high note and be content,” he added, explaining his motivation for developing his non-racing endeavors.
When asked about his plans for the future, the winner of 103 Formula One races stated, “The challenging part is that I want to do everything.”
“I’m extremely ambitious. However, I acknowledge that it’s impossible to do—actually, scratch that because I don’t believe in the word ‘impossible.'”
“To become a master at something, it requires 10,000 hours of practice. I’ve undoubtedly achieved that in racing. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough time to become a master in all these different areas,” he affirmed.
When questioned about what will fill the void left by racing, the Formula One star replied, “Well, I believe it will be film and fashion.”
Indeed, Hamilton has his own film production company, Dawn Apollo Films, and is currently involved in an F1-themed movie featuring Brad Pitt. Additionally, he is engaged in various fashion projects alongside Hilfiger.
Currently, Hamilton remains a Formula 1 driver and is in his final year with Mercedes, the team he joined in 2013 and achieved six out of his seven F1 Championships with, not to mention 82 out of the 103 victories he obtained throughout his time in the top tier of racing.
Despite the concerning initial signs at Mercedes in 2024 as Hamilton confronts another underwhelming F1 car produced by the team, he asserts his desire to depart on a positive note.
He expressed, “My focus lies in delivering the most exceptional year that this team has ever experienced, following all the remarkable years we’ve had. It’s about how you interact with those around you. Some have reacted positively to the news, while others have not. How can you take them on this journey and depart together on a high note?”
“I am training with more intensity than ever before. I feel the most physically prepared I have ever been. Therefore, I am genuinely thrilled about the present, recognizing that nothing is guaranteed beyond this point. However, I am also envisioning the future, as I have numerous ideas for what I want to pursue in the next phase,” he concluded.
Although this interview with Hamilton was recently published – yesterday – it was conducted in February, prior to the 2024 F1 season being in full swing. This implies that at that time, he was unaware of how poor the W15 would perform, or perhaps he was simply attempting to maintain a positive outlook regarding his chances of finishing strongly at Mercedes.