When you’re as accomplished in your sport as Lewis Hamilton is in Formula 1, it’s inevitable for you to rub shoulders with icons from various other sports. And Hamilton, who already seems to have a rapport with other icons has definitely learned a thing or two from them. These encounters have perhaps sparked a contemplation on life beyond sports, particularly the transition into retirement. In a recent report from GQ Sports, Lewis Hamilton shared anecdotes from conversations with various fellow athletes including Serena Williams and Michael Jordan, and how he plans to avoid some of the mistakes they made.

Surprisingly, the Mercedes star found a common thread in most of his conversations with these athletes. Speaking to GQ Sports, he noted, “A lot of them said: ‘I stopped too early.’ Or: ‘Stayed too long.’ ‘When it ended, I didn’t have anything planned.’ ‘My whole world came crashing down because my whole life has been about that sport.’ Some of them were like: ‘I didn’t plan and it was a bit of a mess-up because I was really lost afterward. There was such a hole. Such a void, and I had no idea how I was going to fill it. And I was in such a rush initially to try and fill it that you fill it with the wrong thing, and you make a few mistakes. And then eventually you find your way.’ Some people took longer. Some people took shorter.”

Having heard so much of the same issues that most athletes go through, Lewis decided to do something about it. He added, “But it just got my mind thinking about: Okay, when I stop, how do I avoid that? And so I got serious about finding other things that I was passionate about.“

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And it’s no secret that Lewis does live a very significant life outside of Formula 1, which is fueled by his passion for fighting social issues and his interest in the entertainment industry. But with a demanding profession such as Formula One, how did that even come about?

How did Lewis Hamilton come to live a second life other than as an F1 driver?

Growing up as the only Black kid on the racing circuit, Hamilton’s drive for acceptance fueled his pursuit of success in Formula 1. Despite achieving unprecedented milestones in the sport, he realized that racing alone didn’t bring him happiness. This realization led him to explore his creative side, initially sparked by encounters with creative minds during trips to Los Angeles.

Hamilton’s journey into creativity started with personal expressions like tattoos and jewelry, eventually branching out into music, fashion, and filmmaking. These endeavors not only gave him happiness but also provided a balance to the intensity of his racing career. Hamilton acknowledges the skepticism and pushback he faced from certain people for diverging from the traditional image of a racing driver. However, he remains driven by a desire to break the convention and lead the way for a more expressive generation of drivers.

With the understanding that his racing career has a finite lifespan, Lewis Hamilton looks forward to a future filled with diverse pursuits, with film and fashion emerging as the top choices for his post-racing endeavors.

When do you think Lewis Hamilton will make his grand appearance on the silver screen? Share your insights in the comments below.