In a world where rubber meets the road at breakneck speeds, and engines roar with the ferocity of a thousand startled lions, there’s Lewis Hamilton—a maestro of the racing arts—now joining forces with Fanatics Collectibles to release a series of exclusive keepsakes that merge the allure of speed with the tangibility of nostalgia.
Steering away from the comforts of his long tenure at Mercedes, Hamilton embarks on a new chapter as the star driver for Ferrari. The seven-time Formula One kingpin has archived his storied racing legacy into trading cards and memorabilia under a multi-year agreement with the renowned sports merchandise mogul, Fanatics. These items, which are now under the umbrella of Topps, acquired by Fanatics last year, will reflect Hamilton’s indomitable spirit on track, complete with his genuine autographs and pieces of gear that have endured the high-octane thrill of the race.
Officially kicking off this collaboration, Hamilton recently graced Fanatics Collectibles’ flagship store on London’s famed Regent Street. Amidst the buzz of collectors and admirers, he unveiled the jewel in this collectible crown—a unique one-of-one Topps Chrome F1 card, showcasing him in his new Ferrari attire. Bearing the inscription “Forza Ferrari,” this card, along with its five red-parallel comrades, has instantly become the Holy Grail for enthusiasts worldwide, each as rare as a unicorn and equally mythical in their allure.
The trading card magnate, Topps, had strategically secured the rights to F1 trading cards back in 2020. It was a stroke of genius timed perfectly with the rising tide of F1 fandom, fueled partly by the fervor for the Netflix series Drive to Survive, and partly by a lockdown-induced zeal for all things collectible. Since then, the cards have been nothing short of magic beans, transforming modest cardboard into museum-worthy treasures. A guiding star amongst them? Hamilton’s own 2020 Chrome Superfractor, a card that sensationally exceeded the million-dollar auction threshold in December 2024. His memorabilia has consistently fetched princely sums, with the likes of his non-autographe Superfractor achieving a staggering $900,000 and the 2020 Chrome Sapphire Padparadscha 1/1 card making waves at $740,000.
Hamilton shared reflective thoughts in an exclusive tête-à-tête with The Athletic as he prepared for the Miami Grand Prix’s herculean demands. There, he reminisced about his days as a young collector of Premier League stickers, a staple of his childhood that cultivated his enduring enthusiasm for collecting. “Trading those packs with friends meant everything,” he conveyed. The notion that his own memorabilia could provide valuable support to causes dear to him was something young Lewis would never have predicted while swapping soccer superstars in the schoolyard.
Among the numerous fans who attended the London launch, Hamilton encountered individuals whose lives paralleled his own journey into F1 fandom. One such fan, ardently clutching a coveted one-of-one card, had shared memories that warmed the heart of his racing hero. “We’re part of something bigger,” Hamilton mused, recognizing the profound impact of his career both on and off the track.
When pressed about his most prized personal mementos, Hamilton did not hesitate. His inaugural yellow go-kart helmet, artfully spray-painted by his father at B&Q—a ready-made family heirloom—the brilliant gleam of his first Monaco trophy, and the race-worn suit from his debut race have remain unchallenged atop his sentimental podium. “Those ‘firsts’ mean more than anything,” he extolled, appreciating these relics of days past above all other treasures.
Beyond racing, Hamilton navigates the art world and the realm of vintage automobiles with as much panache as he does the circuit. Art, for Hamilton, is not merely about expanse and color but about moments of tranquility. “I love sitting with a glass of wine, admiring a piece by a young Black or African artist,” he revealed. It is no wonder then that his taste for the eclectic also extends to humorous autograph requests, such as signing a pair of diminutive Japanese boxers across the back. Although peculiar, it’s a testament to his philosophy of life—to bring a smile to someone’s day.
And as the world turns its gaze to the upcoming stars of racing, Hamilton is unerring in his astute predictions. With enthusiasm, he points to the young guns—Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, and Isack Hadjar—as the future luminaries to be watched as closely as finely-crafted collectibles.
