Lewis Hamilton: Top 23 Q&As - news, F1 wins, net worth and more

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Mercedes Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton, the British icon considered one of the greatest racing drivers of all time, having won a joint-record seven World Drivers' Championship titles and clocked up records for the most wins, pole positions, podium finishes, points finishes, career points and points in a season. 

While there are those who argue that the dominance of Hamilton and his Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team has killed the sport, or at least made it painfully predictable over the past several years, there is no doubt that he is the pre-eminent drive of his generation and one of the most ferociously competitive ever. 

Where was Lewis Hamilton born?

Hamilton was born in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, on 7 January 1985. Stevenage is located 44 kilometres north of London and is the site of some other automotive history: Vincent HRD Motorcycle Co Ltd was based in Stevenage from 1928 to 1955, producing famed motorcycles including the Black Shadow and Black Lightning. 

Where does Lewis Hamilton live?

Although a globetrotter thanks to his profession as a world champion F1 driver, the house Lewis Hamilton calls home for most of the time is in Monaco. That’s not to say he doesn’t have other homes around the world - Hamilton has two places in New York, a mansion in London and a property in Geneva, Switzerland. 

How old is Lewis Hamilton?

Hamilton’s current age is 35, but as of 7 January 2021 he will be 36. Others who share the same birthday are Jay-Z and Beyonce’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter and actors Nicolas Cage and Jeremy Renner. His height is 1.74 metres and his weight is 73kg.

What is Lewis Hamilton's net worth?

Hamilton’s new worth is estimated to be $US285 million ($AU387 million). His Formula One fortune is second only to Michael Schumacher (the only other man to win seven world championships), who has a net worth of $US780 million ($AU1.06 billion). As for annual salary, Hamilton pulls in a whopping $US54 million ($AU73 million). 

Is Lewis Hamilton religious?

Hamilton is a Christian and says that he prays and attends Church regularly with friends. In regards to the dangers that are inherent in his profession, Hamilton has said, “Anything can happen any day, but I feel God has his hand over me.”

Who are Lewis Hamilton's parents?

Hamilton’s dad is Anthony Hamilton, a British man, and his mother is Carmen "Brenda" Larbalestier, a British woman. Although his nationality and ethnicity is defined as mixed-race British, Lewis identifies as black. Anthony and Carmen separated when Lewis was two. At the age of five his dad gifted him a remote-controlled car, which then triggered the youngster to develop a passion for racing. 

How many siblings does Lewis Hamilton have?

Two older half-sisters, Samantha and Nicola, and one younger half-brother, Nicolas, who is also a racing driver. When he was young, Hamilton attended the secondary school The John Henry Newman School, where he also excelled at football and cricket. 

Is Lewis Hamilton single?

Although he seems to be dating someone new every other week, Hamilton currently does not officially have a girlfriend. Despite rumours that the Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger was at one time his fiancé, Hamilton has never been engaged or married and doesn’t have any kids. 

Who has Lewis Hamilton dated?

Hamilton’s most high-profile, long-term relationship was with Nicole Scherzinger, the couple dating from 2007 to 2015. Other women Hamilton has been linked to include singers Rihanna and Rita Ora, rapper Nicki Minaj, Russian model Viktoria Odintcova, former Miss England Danielle Lloyd, former Miss Finland Lotta Hintsa, Grenada Miss World entrant Vivian Burkhardt, Hungarian model Barbara Palvin, British model Winnie Harlow, singer Lionel Richie’s model daughter Sofia Richie, American glamour model Veronica Valle and childhood sweetheart Jodia Ma. 

Who is Lewis Hamilton's manager?

 Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony managed his son up until 2010. Hamilton was then with Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment company until 2014. Currently one of Hamilton’s key advisors is Marc Hynes, the CEO of Hamilton’s management consulting company Project Forty Four. Another key player in Hamilton’s career is Toto Wolff, team principal & CEO of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. 

Which F1 team does Lewis Hamilton drive for?

Hamilton currently drives for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, but was a driver for McLaren from 2007 until 2012. 

How many Formula One championships has Lewis Hamilton won?

Hamilton has seven World Drivers' Championship titles to his name, which is a joint record he holds with Michael Schumacher. 

What is the worst crash Lewis Hamilton has been part of?

An incident that occurred at the 2007 European Grand Prix in Nürburgring is widely considered to be the worst crash Lewis Hamilton has been involved in. A flying lap around the Schumacher S-bend in the final session of qualification saw Hamilton hit a barrier while travelling at a speed of between 145-170 km/h. The accident resulted in Hamilton being airlifted to hospital despite being injury-free. 

Does Lewis Hamilton ride a motorbike?

Yes. Hamilton even did a trade in 2019 where he handed the keys to his 2017 Mercedes-AMG F1 over to MotoGP champ Valentino Rossi in exchange for a session riding Rossi’s 2019 Yamaha YZR-M1 around a track in Valencia. Hamilton wound up crashing the bike but walked away with barely a scratch. 

“I'd love to race bikes,” Hamilton has previously said. “But these guys are on another level so I think I'll just enjoy riding and testing the limits on track.” 

How big is Lewis Hamilton's car collection?

 When it comes to having an impressive motorcycle and car collection, Lewis Hamilton’s is hard to beat. With no wife, son or daughter to spend money on, Hamilton has splashed a considerable amount of money on himself and amassed a collection of at least 15 cars that includes a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Mercedes-AMG SLS Black Series, Shelby 427 Cobra, McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, Pagani Zonda 760 LH, Mercedes Maybach S600, Mercedes SL65 Black Series, Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6X6 and Ferrari 599 GTO. His motorcycle collection includes a Brutale 800 RR LH44, MV Agusta F4 LH44, Honda CRF450RK motocross bike, MV Agusta Dragster RR LH44, Ducati Monster 1200, Maverick X3 and a Harley Davidson. 

One of the cars not in Hamilton’s collection is the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 - the model of car used as inspiration for the design of the character “Lewis Hamilton” in the Disney/Pixar film Cars 2.

What are the most famous Lewis Hamilton quotes?

In 2008 on TV show Top Gear, Lewis said the following about crashing an F1 car: “It is actually quite exciting when you’re flying headfirst into a barrier. The initial part is actually quite fun, especially when you hit the gravel trap and you get some air, and then you see it coming and you think ‘erk - it’s gonna hurt!’”

On learning new things: “In racing there are always things you can learn, every single day. There is always space for improvement, and I think that applies to everything in life.”

On self-acceptance: “You just need to be accepted for who you are and be proud of who you are and that is what I’m trying to do.”

Does Lewis Hamilton have a dog?

Hamilton has a bulldog named Roscoe that follows a vegan diet like his owner. Hamilton’s other bulldog, Coco, died in 2020. 

Does Lewis Hamilton smoke?

Despite having previously smoked a ‘victory cigar’ to celebrate a race win, Hamilton does not smoke. 

Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?

Hamilton has been vegan since 2017. About his decision he said, “…the human race, what we are doing to the world... the pollution [in terms of emissions of global-warming gases] coming from the amount of cows that are being produced is incredible. The cruelty is horrible and I don't necessarily want to support that and I want to live a healthier life.” He also launched a vegan restaurant named Neat Burger in 2019. 

Does Lewis Hamilton wear glasses?

 He does, but only as a style accessory as he does not use prescription lenses. Hamilton even partnered with eyewear brand Police last year to release a signature brand of 10 eyewear styles. Hamilton, watches, however, have nothing to do with him - in fact he unsuccessfully tried to void the company’s trademark but lost the legal battle. 

Does Lewis Hamilton have a tattoo?

Yes - several, in fact. A large cross and angel wings on his back was inspired by the late rapper Tupac Shakur. Above it are the words “Still I Rise”, which is the title of a Maya Angelou poem. Other tattoos include a roaring lion’s head and a compass on his chest, “God Is Love” written on his neck and a swordsman, an hourglass, a Capricorn symbol and the words “Divine Love” on his hand. 

Is Lewis Hamilton on Instagram?

Yes. His Instagram handle is @lewishamilton and he has 21.2 million followers. 

Does Lewis Hamilton have Coronavirus? 

It was revealed on December 1, 2020 that Lewis Hamilton had tested positive for COVID-19. His symptoms were described as mild, the diagnosis causing him to withdraw from the Sakhir Grand Prix.