Fashion-forward Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton has opened up about the “horrible” manner in which he had to quell his creative spark before standing up to bosses. The seven-time world champion is known for his distinctive style but wasn’t always embraced for his wardrobe choices in the sport.
The Ferrari driver has long turned heads with his unique fashion sense, using the paddock as a catwalk to showcase his often unconventional ensembles. Hamilton, 40, has faced criticism from F1’s traditionalists but has since launched his own clothing line, Plus 44, and represented high-end brands like Dior, Lululemon and Tommy Hilfiger while at Mercedes.
Historically, drivers were told precisely what to wear around the grid, but Hamilton challenged this norm after feeling constrained by the strict dress codes. He reflected on his early days before reaching F1 stardom in an interview for Vogue.
“Just before I got to Formula 1, I remember being looked up and down by a boss, and he definitely wasn’t impressed with what I was wearing. I was probably in FUBU and Timbs,” he said. “I remember thinking, ‘Shoot, I’ve really got to fit into this mould.’ And my dad expected me to fit into that mould too.
“Sometimes I would dress one way leaving the house, then drive down the road and change into a baggy, swagged-out look. I would go out and have the best night ever, then change back into what I left the house wearing before I came home.
“When I first signed with F1 I was only allowed to wear suits and team kits, and it was horrible. I didn’t feel comfortable, and I didn’t feel like I was able to be myself.”
With time, Hamilton – who finished fifth in Bahrain on Sunday – gained the confidence to challenge the sport’s conventional dress code in order to gain more freedom with his outfit choices. That only came after soaring to overwhelming success in his field, but it opened up the barriers for others also making their way in F1.
He continued: “Eventually, I had the courage to push beyond those boundaries and say, ‘Look, I want to turn up to the track in what I want to wear. I’m here now you can’t get rid of me or change the way I dress.’ The pushback was massive, but when the sport saw the impact of my little runway, other drivers started doing the same thing.”
Typically, F1 drivers’ contracts dictate how often they must wear their team’s official attire, including suits and clothing featuring sponsors. Hamilton, however, successfully negotiated for the freedom to wear his own clothes on occasion at the track.
The British driver has mostly been seen sporting official Ferrari attire in the paddock this season. However, he was caught on camera wearing a tartan shirt and smart grey trousers before qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix last month.
His next chance to make a statement – and secure his first race win of the season – will be in Saudi Arabia this weekend. Ferrari is aiming for its first podium finish of 2025, having found it challenging to match the pace of McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull so far.
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