“It’s been generally quite a lonely journey”, Lewis Hamilton said in 2022, highlighting how his family was the “only black family” in F1. But his inspiring journey to conquering F1 with the longevity of extending his career beyond 40 will ensure that no other black driver ever feels the same. A sweet Canadian GP meet-up with a young fan has shown how all his efforts are paying off.

Hamilton’s ‘Mission 44’ and ‘The Hamilton Commission’ aim to promote diversity and inclusivity in STEM and motorsport. At every crucial junction in his career, his drive to create a non-discriminatory world is commendable. NASCAR’s Darrell “Bubba” Wallace had also shared how “there was nobody to identify with” in motorsport in his growing years. Lewis Hamilton then became a “huge role model” for him. The 7-time champion is still F1’s only black driver, but the tides might turn soon.

In Canada, Andre Cardoso, a fan, shared how his 3-year-old son, like Darrell Wallace, also identified himself with Hamilton. Sharing their heartwarming meet-up with the F1 legend, he wrote on Instagram: “What an incredible day we had today! I’ve been an avid Formula 1 fan for over 30 years. This sport is part of my life and Formula 1 has already given me incredible experiences. But I can say that yesterday lived the apex of this passion. Since he started following the sport, Jose identified himself with Lewis Hamilton. “Look, dad, you’ve got a great pilot…just like me,” he said the first time he saw the Briton on the podium.”

Cardoso also elaborated on the extent to which his son went to emulate his idol. “When we said we were coming to the races, he asked for a hairstyle like idol and we got a Mercedes shirt. Jose is 3 years old and we work through this racial issue gently with him. We know the challenges you will face ahead but everything has its own time. Lewis Hamilton is so much more than a driver or a sports idol. The greatest champion in the history of the category broke paradigms in a traditionally white and elite sport,” he concluded.

The Mercedes driver’s impact on not only the F1 community but also the world has been immense. This also spurred the United Kingdom to grant him the title of most influential black person in the country.

Lewis Hamilton’s humble beginnings to being named UK’s most influential black person

Lewis Hamilton became a victim of racism very early in his childhood. The Briton refers to his school years as the most “traumatizing” of his life. Being only one of three kids of color in the school, he was bullied, called the N-word, and thrown bananas at. From undergoing such horrific treatment to emerging as a strong human who turns whatever he touches into gold, he crafted a hero’s journey.

When he was named the UK’s most influential black person in 2020, he was as humble as it gets. “I am so proud to be acknowledged, especially within the black community,” the Mercedes driver said. “I like to think that I’m just a part of a chain of many people trying to push for change.”

His organizations for change have already impacted millions of lives across the globe. As Hamilton takes the next step in his journey with Ferrari in 2025, an entirely new country would be wholly rooting for him.