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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 22: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 AXALTA Chevrolet, walks with Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 22: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 AXALTA Chevrolet, walks with Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton during pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
There are several events that Lewis Hamilton may get invited to. He may attend a proportion of them, but not all. Yet, a world-famous F1 champion rushes to watch a NASCAR race at the first invitation he got. Of course, it was the 4-time champion Jeff Gordon who invited him. Still, how did these two legends of motorsport meet?
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On the F1 Beyond the Grid Podcast in 2021, Jeff Gordon talked at length with host Tom Clarkson on several topics related to F1 and NASCAR. One of those topics was Lewis Hamilton and when Clarkson asked the NASCAR champion how he met with the Mercedes legend, Gordon tried to recall the story.
Jeff said, “I am trying to think of how our paths crossed. I mean, I have seen him [Lewis Hamilton] in New York a few times. And somehow I got his email [address].”

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Motorsports: FIA Formula One World Championship WM Weltmeisterschaft 2018, Grand Prix of Mexico, Jeff Gordon, 44 Lewis Hamilton (GBR, Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport), Mexico-City Mexico
“Either he reached out to me or I reached out to him, I don’t remember exactly how it all started But we just started exchanging emails, going back and forth.” Gordon always had an affinity towards F1 and has featured interviews with several drivers like Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Jeff further added, “And I sent an invitation [to Lewis in 2015] to say: Hey my final [NASCAR] race is coming. We had talked about getting him to a NASCAR race. When he accepted the invitation, I was shocked. But I thought it was really cool.”
Lewis Hamilton attended the 2015 NASCAR finale in Miami at Gordon’s invitation. About 6 years, Gordon himself may not have attended Hamilton’s tense title decided in 2021, but he was certainly rooting for the Briton.
Jeff Gordon on the 2021 Championship Battle for Lewis Hamilton
Jeff Gordon was delighted as every F1 fan to watch the titanic tussle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in 2021. He also told Tom Clarkson how everyone has got an iconic title battle to watch.

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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after the start of the race REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
The 4-time champion right away stated his allegiance to Hamilton and Mercedes. Although, he also told how his wife is Belgian and his family is a huge fan of Max Verstappen. So there was a risk for Jeff to support Lewis for the title win.
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Nonetheless, he spoke about how Mercedes was still trying to maintain the upper hand in the initial part of the season. Jeff thought, like many others, that Red Bull surely has the package to beat the Silver Arrows. He cited how the Monaco GP had turned the tide in Max’s favor.
The NASCAR champion also stated how he wished for a final race title decider in 2021. Eventually, he might have been damn happy to see the enthralling finish in Abu Dhabi.
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Watch This Story: Most heated moments between Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnheardt
Lewis Hamilton’s future plans in F1 may not coincide with his NASCAR ambitions. Yet, given his enterprising nature, he might team up with Gordon for an exhibition drive someday.
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