Lewis Hamilton, renowned for his withering speed on the racetrack and charming presence off it, has shifted gears from Mercedes to the iconic red of Ferrari, kicking off a new chapter with an exciting partnership with Fanatics Collectibles. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion, a vanguard in his sport, has now intertwined his prowess of accumulating trophies with the art of collectibles, penning a multi-year partnership that promises a trove of signed memorabilia and trading cards. This venture comes under the umbrella of Fanatics’ ownership of Topps, a tradition-rich brand known for its century-long affairs with trading cards and collectibles.
In this dazzling odyssey, Hamilton is not just lending his bonafide autograph but is also offering the charm of his race-worn gear making the collectibles that much more authentic and alluring. With this tailor-made agreement, Hamilton becomes an artist himself, having creative say in the design of these collectibles, plus sharing the bounty of proceeds to philanthropic causes close to his heart.
The debut of this collaborative voyage was marked last Friday at none other than Fanatics Collectibles’ flagship on Regent Street, London. Hamilton, donning his freshly minted Ferrari colors, unveiled his exclusive one-of-one Topps Chrome F1 card. Adding a splash of fervor, the card boasted a personal inscription: “Forza Ferrari.” Enticingly scarce, only five red-parallel variations exist, and they have already hypnotized collectors around the globe, who are keen to make these masterpieces their own precious trophies.
The trading card realm has seen a renaissance of sorts, now more vibrant partly due to the Netflix hit, “Drive to Survive,” and the COVID-19 era trading card boom, where sports enthusiasts turned to cards to feel closer to the action they missed. Topps secured F1’s rights in 2020, adding fuel to a fiery demand. Stories abound of Hamilton’s previous cards shattering auction records, symbolizing the high stakes and grand fascination within collectors’ community.
Long before he became a collectible himself, Lewis Hamilton was a wide-eyed kid, mesmerized by the magic of collecting, as he recounted in an exclusive chat with The Athletic before jetting off to Miami Grand Prix. “Every penny I had went to Premier League stickers. Trading was sacred,” Hamilton shared. Those treasured childhood memories now manifest in his own memorabilia, supporting charity—a full-circle moment for the driver.
At the London event, Hamilton mingled with fans, connecting on a level that transcends the asphalt circuits. Meeting a supporter who owned one of his singular cards was emblematic of this initiative’s deep resonance. “We’re part of something bigger,” Hamilton expressed, sharing stories and, in turn, receiving stories, knitting a narrative that binds him with collectors and F1 aficionados alike.
His personal collection is as varied as his career success. Among the memorabilia he cherishes are his first race suit, his spray-painted yellow helmet—a token of his father’s penchant for DIY at B&Q—and the glistening trophy from his maiden Monaco win. These items capture those pivotal ‘firsts’ in his racing odyssey, crystallizing raw ambition into an enduring legacy.
Beyond speed demons and asphalt tracks, Hamilton indulges in the refined domains of art and classic car collections. He finds solace in artwork by emerging African and Black artists, often with a glass of wine in hand. “It’s my escape,” he shares—a fresh race, an uncharted circuit requiring no finish line.
The eccentric, however, was not far behind. Hamilton’s most whimsical autograph request involved a pair of tiny Japanese boxer shorts, a canvas quite unbecoming of strokes and signatures, yet duly signed across the posterior. “It was bizarre,” Hamilton chuckled, embracing the zigzags of fan exchanges, which keep the mundane at bay from the caught-in-the-fast-lane lifestyle.
As for the future stars lighting up the F1 trading card horizon, Hamilton has named his picks: Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, and, appreciatively, Isack Hadjar—names he considers as next in line for the glorious ride into collectors’ dreams and motorsport’s stratosphere.
In this remarkable blend of passion and profession, Lewis Hamilton continues to reframe the narrative—not just winning races, but winning hearts and leaving marks that go beyond tire marks on circuits.
