In Pictures: Lewis Hamilton’s Spiritual Summer Break Not the First Time Knighted F1 Driver Pays Homage to His African Roots

As things stand, there is only a single black driver on the F1 grid, and that is the Mercedes ace, Lewis Hamilton. Even though he races under a British flag, the roots of the Englishman track back to a Caribbean island known as Grenada.

The Briton receives the Grenadian heritage from his father, Anthony Hamilton, and the British heritage from his mother, Carmen Larbalestier. Notably, it is his father who helped him the most in realizing his racing ambition by juggling multiple jobs to fund his son’s karting career. Moreover, he also took the responsibility of being his manager throughout his junior career.

In 2019, the 7-time world champion put his Grenadian roots in the spotlight in his cover shoot for GQ Germany magazine. He selected the outfits which represent the heritage of the Caribbean island and did what he does best, shine like a star.

Even before that, in his autobiography, My Story, he opened up about the love he has for the country. He said, “My family, my roots, and our values primarily Grenadian although we are British, having been born in the UK,” 

“My grandad came to England in the 1950s and then returned to Grenada in the seventies following the death of my grandmother.”

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Furthermore, he talked about how spending time with family fuels him. “I love being at home with my family and the equilibrium that gives me. My strength is in the family, wherever we all are, as long as we are together.”

Lewis Hamilton x Tommy Hilfiger: Grenadian collaboration

Over the years, the 37-year-old has developed many interests that help him take a break and re-energize for the upcoming race. On the top of that list is his love for fashion and experimenting with different fits.

The pinnacle of motorsport provides him with a huge platform. And at each Grand Prix, even before the racing action commences on track, the Mercedes star driver is in the spotlight, making a fashion statement off track. Henceforth, it was not long before the Brit met with the American giant, Tommy Hilfiger, and the duo released a collaboration.

Remarkably, it was the shout-out to his roots that stole the spotlight. The collaboration featured the Grenadian flag representing his roots in the center, the British flag representing his birth country on the left, and the American flag representing the base of the fashion giant on the right.

Hamilton starred as the brand ambassador for the American fashion house, and from day one put purpose into his line of clothing. The TOMMY X LEWIS collection dropped, featuring sustainable materials for the greater good.

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Are you a fan of the TOMMY X LEWIS merchandise?