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Cork Gaines
2023-06-10T13:16:48Z
- Lewis Hamilton is the biggest star in motorsports and makes $57 million a year from his Mercedes contract.
- However, several outlets are reporting that he will make a shocking move to rival Ferrari in 2025.
- Hamilton's wealth is often spent on cars, boats, planes, fashion, and high-profile relationships, including a new one with Shakira.
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Lewis Hamilton is the biggest star in motorsports and one of the biggest stars in sports.
He is one of the best drivers of all time, tied with Michael Schumacher with seven Formula 1 world titles.
However, despite recently signing a 2-year extension with Mercedes for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, it is now being reported by several outlets that he will make a shock exit after the 2024 season and join rival Ferrari, replacing Carlos Sainz. Sports Business Journal said the deal is not officially confirmed, but is "good as done."
As the only Black driver in F1 history, he has used his voice to promote equality and has campaigned for other issues, such as LGBTQ+ rights and environmental concerns.
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Hamilton's success on the track has earned him millions, making him the 21st highest-paid athlete in the world. Take a look below at his fabulous life.
Sam Cooper contributed to an earlier version of this post.
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Hamilton is the biggest star in Formula One
Hamilton signed a new deal with Mercedes in 2021, which Forbes estimated earned the British star $57 million in 2022. He has won seven F1 titles, tying him with Michael Schumacher for the most all time, including six with Mercedes.
The 7-time champion still takes in more than his top rival, Max Verstappen
According to Forbes, Verstappen, the 2021 champion, makes $46 million per year on the track.
Hamilton also takes in an estimated $10 million in endorsem*nts
Forbes puts his off-track earnings at approximately $10 million annually.
His face and likeness are associated with many top brands
He has lucrative deals with Tommy Hilfiger, Monster Energy, Puma, IWC, Sony, Bose, Bell Helmets, MV Augusta Motorcycles, Petronas, and Gran Turismo Sport.
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Hamilton has an estimated net worth of $285 million
According to CelebrityNetWorth, Hamilton is the wealthiest athlete in Great Britain and the highest-paid driver in F1 history.
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Unsurprisingly for an F1 driver, Hamilton is a fan of cars
His collection is not just limited to Mercedes either. Cars reported to be included in his collection include a $1.15 million McLaren P1, two $1.56 million Ferrari LaFerraris, and a $2.72 million Mercedes-AMG Project One.
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He also used to own a custom-made Pagani Zonda
However, Hamilton reportedly wanted to cut back on his carbon footprint, so he sold the car for $10 million.
Hamilton has since become more environmentally conscious with his cars
According to Vanity Fair,his daily car of choice is the electric Mercedes-AMG EQS with a base price of $102,000.
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It's not just road cards, either
Hamilton has described himself as a "motorhead" and enjoys posting to his Instagram pictures of him with his latest vehicle of choice, including this off-road buggy.
He also spent $4 million on a 90-foot Sunseeker yacht
According to The Sports Rush, the boat is typically docked in Monaco.
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When he's not driving, Hamilton can relax and unwind in one of his four reported properties
According to The UK Sun Hamilton owns a $43 million New York penthouse, a $24 million London mansion, and houses in Geneva and the racing drivers' favorite, Monte Carlo.
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He also used to own a $22.5 million private jet but sold it in 2019
According to the infamous Paradise Papers, Hamilton was accused of avoiding paying taxes on the jet by setting up a business and "renting" it to himself.
As far as rumored or confirmed relationships go, there have been many that were notable
Hamilton has been publicly linked to Nicki Minaj, Irina Shayk, Rihanna, Sofia Richie, Jodie Ma, Nicole Scherzinger, and Winnie Harlow. According to Cosmo, Hamilton has also been linked to Danielle Lloyd, Veronica Valle, Rita Ora, Barbara Palvin, and Kendall Jenner.
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Most recently, Hamilton was said to be in "the early stages of dating" Shakira
Hamilton and Shakira were spotted in public together in 2023, and according to an anonymous source for People, they were being "fun and flirty." However, that seemed to come to an end later in the year.
Hamilton is into his fashion
Hamilton is often pictured arriving at the track before an F1 race in an array of designer clothing.
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He recently joined Zendaya as one of the faces of Valentino's PP Pink campaign
—Valentino (@MaisonValentino) August 3, 2022
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One of his interests is "planet-friendly start-ups"
In addition to fashion, Hamilton spoke to Vanity Fair recently about expanding his business empire away from the track. This includes expanding his London-based vegan restaurant Neat Burger to the United States with new partner Leonardo DiCaprio. The chain recently reached a valuation of $100 million, according to the Financial Times.
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He is also taking on Hollywood
Hamilton signed on as a producer for an F1 movie for Apple TV starring Brad Pitt. Hamilton said it will be the "greatest racing movie ever."
Hamilton was also announced as one of several big-name investors in TMRW Sports
TMRW Sports is a sports, media, and entertainment company started by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
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He was also recently announced as a new minority owner for the NFL's Denver Broncos
—Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 2, 2022
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While the season itself can be intense, F1 drivers do get down time
Hamilton chooses to spend his vacationing in an array of exotic locales. During the 2022 summer break, Hamilton took a "humbling" and "grounding" trip to Africa.
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He is also a big fan of going fast on the water
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgxQ4zYlUC6/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0ab3148d-d2a3-4d0f-896c-76a6fa5e5f7b
He spent some time in 2023 doing watersports with MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo.
Hamilton also likes to spend his spare time making music
In an interview with Music-News.com, Danny Jones of McFly revealed that Hamilton has "a little bit of a studio set up" that he takes with him around the world during the F1 season.
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Hamilton is a proud advocate for causes he believes in and has shown he is willing to put his money where his mouth is
He pledged $27 million to a charity called Project 44, which aims to empower young people from under-represented groups in the UK.
He also wears a rainbow helmet for most races.
The helmet is worn to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
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Hamilton'sbest friend is his dog, Roscoe, whom he brings along to most races
The one Hamilton spoils the most is probably Roscoe, his dog of 10 years whom he calls his "best friend."
Roscoe is probably one of the luckiest pups in the world. What a life.
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