Alpine driver Pierre Gasly credits Lewis Hamilton for revolutionizing the Formula 1 paddock and creating a more inclusive environment for drivers. Gasly specifically highlights Hamilton’s choice to wear his own clothing as a form of self-expression. Despite facing criticism from fellow racers like Kimi Raikkonen and Ralf Schumacher, Gasly admires Hamilton’s commitment to his personal style and believes it has opened doors for all drivers to express themselves more freely.
Gasly acknowledges that Hamilton is not the only driver who embraces individuality in their attire. Zhou Guanyu and Gasly himself also opt for casual clothing when arriving at the track. Gasly appreciates Hamilton’s desire for social activism and greater diversity, even if it is met with resistance from some members of the F1 grid. He respects Hamilton for staying true to his values and believes this has created a smoother path for young drivers like himself.
In a surprising move, Ferrari has reportedly allocated around £350m to sponsor Hamilton’s social initiatives and promote accessibility to the sport, particularly for ethnic minorities and young people. This contradicts Ferrari’s well-known non-political stance, which many believed would prevent Hamilton from ever joining the team. Despite this, Ferrari has shown great loyalty to Hamilton by offering him a contract that extends beyond his time as an F1 driver.
While Mercedes initially rejected a long-term contract and the idea of Hamilton joining Ferrari, the British driver eventually signed a one-plus-one contract extension with Mercedes until August 2023. However, he has decided to join Ferrari in 2025 to secure his future in the sport. Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz, who has yet to secure another seat.
According to the Source total-motorsport.com