“I’m Not Interested”: Sneering at Hamilton’s Fashionable Exploits, Verstappen Sets Priorities Straight

It’s not until Lewis Hamilton walks into the paddock in an outfit that is sure to feature on F1 photographer Kym Illman’s Instagram grid that a race weekend officially starts. There’s absolutely no question that he’s the king of fashion on the Formula 1 grid, striding into the paddock in trendy designer clothes. But if there’s one person who’s completely content walking into the paddock in his team t-shirt every race weekend, it’s Max Verstappen.

It’s safe to say Hamilton is almost as professionally inclined toward fashion as he is in F1. Whenever he gets time off, and there’s a fashion show coming up, there’s a high possibility the seven-time champion would get an invite and make an appearance. But when he has F1 commitments, the paddock is usually his walkway. As extravagant and trendy as Hamilton’s outfits are, Verstappen revealed he would much rather maintain his rivalry with Hamilton on track than go up against his fashion prowess.

Max Verstappen couldn’t care less about fashion

Considering the Dutchman has been dating Brazilian model Kelly Piquet for almost three years, you would think his fashion sense must’ve evolved. Well, you thought wrong because every time Verstappen has to make an appearance that doesn’t involve racing, there’s usually a set of standard white shirts he sticks to with a pair of jeans. 

With the LA Fashion Week coming up in October, Verstappen was asked at the Italian GP if he would make an appearance. Unlike Hamilton, who would jump at the opportunity, Verstappen said, “I think I’m probably the last person who will find [at the LA Fashion Week], to be honest. I just can’t sit there watching… I’m just not really interested. I mean, honestly, I like it when somebody is dressed well. I think it looks amazing. But I just can’t be bothered to do it myself.” That explains the white shirts he always wears. 

He continued, “It’s probably pretty painful that Italian men are hearing this.” Well, it must’ve been painful for them, Hamilton and Kelly. “Honestly, I love to be at home, nice shorts, easygoing. Nice t-shirt. Done.” When asked if he would ever dress up in more than shorts and a t-shirt, he revealed, “Maybe for an appearance or being forced to go there, but not out of my own will. Yeah, I don’t think that’ll happen very soon.” It’s evident fashion plays very little role in defining Verstappen, but that isn’t the case for Hamilton.

Read More: “It’s About Self-Expression”: Lewis Hamilton Breaks His Silence On Unique Fashion Interests in Recent Times

Lewis Hamilton could look at a career in fashion after F1

Hamilton already has a ton of connections in the fashion industry, most notably Pharrell Willimas, the Creative Director for Louis Vuitton. But that’s not all he is. He’s also Hamilton’s brother-from-another-mother. Having attended Williams’ first show in charge of the luxury giant earlier this year, the Brit even visited Cannes, where popstar Dua Lipa and Donatella Versace released a collaborative collection. As a brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger, the 38-year-old often sports the American’s designs in the paddock, as he did for the Italian GP.

It’s no secret that Hamilton is nearing the end of his F1 career. Fashion is something close to his heart; it’s a way to express himself; it defines him outside the racetrack. So when F1 mogul Eddie Jordan talked about Hamilton’s prospects after F1 on the Talksport podcast, he said, “Hamilton is at a time in his life where he has achieved such greatness, with dignity, with style, and with integrity, that everything he decides to try his hand at, from music to fashion, takes on a certain importance.” 

Even though there’s very little chance that Max Verstappen would dabble in anything related to fashion after his F1 career, could we possibly see a Lewis Hamilton fashion line in the future?

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