Lewis Hamilton’s “Playboy Image” Was Once Made the Benchmark For F1 Drivers

There’s no doubt Bernie Ecclestone deserves a lot of credit for taking F1 to unprecedented heights. The same can also be said about Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. In Lewis’s second season, the F1 supremo was even happy with Lewis Hamilton, as, according to him, Lewis’ ‘playboy’ image revitalized the sport.

Moreover, Ecclestone wanted his antics to continue as the sport’s golden boy was bringing back its hype.

Lewis Hamilton might have just lost out the title to Kimi Raikkonen by 1 point in his debut season, but he was already a star in his 2nd season. Moreover, the then F1 CEO was happy with all the spotlight Lewis was bringing in. The $3.3B man even went on to and called on his McLaren-Mercedes team to let Lewis ‘off the leash’ more frequently.

Back in 2008, in an interview with People Sport, Ecclestone said, “As a promoter, Lewis is a dream. I don’t mind the playboy image and I wish there could be more of it.”

“There were always great characters in the old days and Lewis is becoming one, which is great.”

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Today, we might not know Lewis Hamilton for his ‘playboy image’ but what we know him for is his nature to take a stand for things he believes in.

Lewis Hamilton is critical of FI for not saving the W-series

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has criticized F1 and the Liberty media for not saving the 2022 W-series season. The series ended 3 races earlier than it was initially intended due to lack of finances. Jamie Chadwick was crowned the F1 champion for the 3rd time in a row.

When asked if F1 should’ve taken onus to complete the W-series championship. Lewis said, “100%, I do. Particularly the W Series.” 

“There has not been enough focus on women in sport for the whole of Formula 1’s life. There is not enough emphasis on it now. They’re not magnifying enough the great work that is being done there.”

He further added, “There is not enough representation across the board within our industry. There is not really a pathway for those young, amazing drivers to even get to Formula 1.”

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Hamilton also criticized F1 for not setting the correct narrative. He emphasized the need to do more for the W-series.