For so long had the Formula 1 paddock only seen sponsor-laden team wear before Lewis Hamilton. Yes, there were hints of an interest in fashion from a number of drivers - Michael Schumacher knew how to throw on some leather and fur once upon a time.
But it was Lewis Hamilton that really intertwined fashion with F1, and his impact in this way has been transformative. Now in his second year with the Ferrari team, he's discussed how he dismantled the stigma around dressing the way he wanted.
"To be a racing driver, you had to fit a certain shape: go to bed at 10 PM, dress a certain way," Hamilton told Esquire. Looking back at the restrictive environment he entered in the late 2000s, he revealed his frustrations: "For most of my career, every driver arrived in team kits designed by people outside of fashion; the clothes were horrendous."
According to the seven-time champion, there was a toll in wearing the same outfit across the season.
"I'd arrive and feel terrible wearing the same thing 180 days a year. I asked if I could show up in my own style and change into the kit later," he added. Unsurprisingly, the traditional view of F1's then-management pushed back. "It took a long time to get the bosses to agree. I basically had to break the rules."
Tired of waiting for permission, the driver took matters into his own hands.
"I just turned up one day in my own clothes," he admitted. Much like now, Hamilton arriving in the paddock wearing a curated outfit had an incredible commercial impact. Nowadays, we fondly call it the paddock catwalk - something that Hamilton began with this one moment.
"Once they saw the attention and positive press it brought, and how it elevated the brand and the team, they allowed me to do it every single day."
Since then, other drivers followed in his footsteps. 2025 champion Lando Norris has often enjoyed soaking up the camera flashes as he enters the paddock wearing his own outfits. And even Max Verstappen's famous skinny jeans have been the focus of fashion commentators.
"Corporate companies often don't think about the style or the suit. Now, it's become the norm to see other drivers turning up as themselves," Hamilton notes with a sense of pride. "I love that. Everyone should feel comfortable in their own shell."
Hamilton's love of fashion came from a desire to find identity in an isolated environment.
"I grew up in a household where no one was fashionable, and expressing yourself was never discussed. It was a product of feeling the need to be quiet and blend in," he continued. "Being in an environment that wasn't diverse, you didn't want to stand out any more than you already did by being the only person of colour in the room."
The 41-year-old was heavily influenced by music, an industry that leans heavily on fashion.
"When I was younger, I was always buying magazines or going to stores to read them. I was heavily influenced by music; as soon as I got home, I'd put on MTV Base or VH1. I wasn't watching TV shows or cartoons; it was music. I was inspired by musicians and artists and their style. I discovered Prince and loved how he expressed himself. I loved Pharrell, Mace, Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes. Pharrell was always a big influence."
Finally making his debut in F1 in 2007, this position allowed him to further explore his interest in fashion.
"When I got to Formula 1, I went to a fashion show, and it blew my mind. In the racing world, my dad and I were the only people of colour from the time I was eight until I was 22 years old. When I went to the fashion world, I loved how diverse it was. I saw people of all shapes and forms expressing themselves."
He takes on a similar mantra, not limiting himself to a certain style or idea, instead embracing local culture and its designers.
"There was a time when I'd say I was sort of urban chic. That's changed. I only really channel that when I am travelling.
"I like to channel something unique for different locations and use the platform to highlight up-and-coming designers, not just the top brands," he explained. Despite his access to the world's most exclusive design houses - a number he's already worked with, such as Dior - his tastes remain modest for the most part; he still "loves Camden market" and has an appreciation for "vintage tees, particularly ones with images of Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali."
This year, he continues to support Ferrari in its push into the fashion industry. "The Ferrari fashion brand has been growing, and to see it expand with its first store in London is a privilege. They're doing very big fashion shows—they had Anna Wintour there!"
After co-chairing the 2025 Met Gala alongside the Vogue editor-in-chief, as well as countless other roles in the fashion industry, Hamilton's input to Ferrari will be invaluable.
