Lewis Hamilton
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is arguably the most decorated driver in Formula 1 history — but away from the track, he's just as busy launching fashion lines, going vegan, recording music, and making sure his dog Roscoe has enough Instagram followers.
Away from the circuit, Lewis Hamilton has built a second identity as compelling as his racing record. Since going plant-based in 2017, he has become one of sport's most prominent voices on veganism and environmental responsibility — attending climate summits, speaking out about F1's carbon footprint, and investing in plant-based food companies. His advocacy is not a PR exercise; team colleagues and paddock observers consistently describe it as a genuine, sustained commitment.
Fashion has been the other pillar of his off-track life. Raised in a family where money was tight, Hamilton was told early in his career to dress more conservatively to fit the sport's image. He rejected that instruction comprehensively. Today he collaborates with luxury houses, attends the Met Gala, and runs his own clothing brand — treating fashion as a form of personal expression that racing tried to suppress. His wardrobe at any given Grand Prix generates as much commentary as his lap times.
Music has been a quieter thread running through his career. He has produced tracks under the alias XNDA and collaborated with major artists, describing recording studios as one of the few places where he truly switches off. Hamilton is also quietly philanthropic: he has funded scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK and spoken candidly about the lack of diversity in motorsport, using his platform to push the sport toward broader representation.
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Hamilton's English Bulldog, Roscoe, has his own Instagram account that has accumulated hundreds of thousands of followers. Hamilton regularly posts about Roscoe's meals (also vegan), his moods, and his travels. When Roscoe had health problems in 2022, Hamilton kept fans updated with the concern most people reserve for close family members.
Hamilton switched to a plant-based diet in 2017, crediting it with improved sleep, mental clarity, and physical recovery. He's been vocal about the environmental reasons too, and even made his dog Roscoe eat a vegan diet — a decision that divided fans and veterinarians alike. He's invested in plant-based food companies and uses his platform to advocate for reducing meat consumption.
Hamilton has been a Tommy Hilfiger brand ambassador and co-designer, producing multiple collections. He has attended the Met Gala, Paris Fashion Week, and New York Fashion Week, wearing increasingly experimental outfits. In 2023 he launched his own clothing brand, and has spoken about fashion as a form of self-expression that he felt was suppressed during his early racing career when team bosses told him to dress more conservatively.
Hamilton quietly released music under the alias XNDA, collaborating with Christina Aguilera on a track called 'Pipe' in 2017. He's been involved in music production for years, and has said that music is one of the few things that genuinely relaxes him. He's visited recording studios around the world during race weekends — something that reportedly surprised more than a few team personnel.
Beyond veganism, Hamilton is a patron of environmental causes and animal rights organisations. He's spoken at climate summits and used his victory celebrations to draw attention to environmental issues. He's also publicly called out Formula 1 for its carbon footprint — an unusual move for an active driver in the sport.
Hamilton trains with a dedicated team that includes specialists in nutrition, physiology, and mental performance. His off-season fitness regimes have included everything from CrossFit to Pilates to boxing. He's been known to train twice a day during preparation periods, treating fitness with the same seriousness as his driving.
Hamilton has spoken about growing up without much money — his father Anthony worked multiple jobs to fund his karting career. Once Hamilton's earnings allowed it, he bought his parents a house. His half-brother Nicolas, who has cerebral palsy, has competed in touring car racing, something Lewis has supported and attended when race schedules allow.
Hamilton has admitted that he dislikes fairground rides and rollercoasters, which has amused many observers given that he spends his working life cornering at 180mph. He's said it's simply a matter of control — in a race car, he is the one in charge.