Lewis Hamilton’s Style: Turning The Paddocks Into The Runway

The Formula One grid is not where you would expect to find the most fashion-forward people. Drivers are quite functional in their choice of clothes, but while it’s still early doors, we can comfortably say Lewis Hamilton has been serving fits this F1 season. Approaching fashion the same way he takes to racing, the F1 superstar is a bold risk-taker in both realms. Deliberately going against the grain of how motorsport athletes dress, the 103-time Grand-Prix winner leads the pack as the best-dressed man in the paddocks and one of the best dressed in the world.

With a keen sense for fashion and style, Lewis has become an inspiration to other drivers – we’re looking at you Guanyu Zhou. Although Hamilton has always been on the fashion scene, this 2022 season, the Formula One champion seems to have turned a new leaf, blossoming into a new level of style that has us tuning in for more than the racing.

Arguably the most decorated driver in the history of Formula One, by now, there’s no argument that Lewis Hamilton has cemented himself as Formula One’s go-to fashion guy. Regularly appearing at fashion weeks around the globe, the 7-time world champion is a repeat attendee of the Met Gala, where he once bought a table to host Black fashion designers. He has collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger and counts modelling for Balenciaga’s Spring/Summer collection on his CV. However, most notably, Lewis Hamilton has managed to turn the F1 paddocks into his personal runway show.

Over the past few years, Lewis has continued to dispel the stigma of the badly dressed motorsport racer, and as the 2022 season gets into full swing, he continues to steal the show with his off-track experimental looks. Not just pushing boundaries behind the wheel, with his daring fashion choices, Hamilton has shown that his involvement in fashion isn’t surface level but that he has a passion for it. So let’s take a look at his fits so far.

After a controversial loss by less than 2.5 seconds to 24-year-old Verstappen in last year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, off the track, Hamilton and his stylist, Law Roach, have been firing on all cylinders ​​with some head-turning fits. Kicking off what is shaping up to be his most fashionable season yet, Hamilton arrived at the paddocks for the Bahrain Grand-Prix in a burnt-red bomber jacket and matching loose-fit pants from Isabel Marant, paired with white boots to tie it together. The superstar driver would wind up taking to the podium for the 205th time, as he finished third in the season opener.

Admitting that fashion is his escape from the pressures of Formula One, the Mercedes driver has always opted for a balanced diet of luxury and streetwear labels. Often seen in Fear of God, Off-White™ or luxury labels like Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta, for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix practice sessions, F1’s best-dressed man cut a dapper figure with an off-structure bright red suit and coordinating cross-body strap detailing.

The world champion took to the Jeddah circuit in a Bianca Saunders Yellow Rowdy Shirt and matching Twisted Tailored Shorts before returning for race day in a white Alexander McQueen jacket completed with a contrasting black belt, paired with off-white coloured vans. He completed the look with a simple but head-turning pair of white boots.

Sartorially brave, to close out the racing weekend, Hamilton flaunted an oversized green and pink floral co-ord with pearl fastenings from Isabel Marant. Again, choosing a chunky boot, he rounded out the look with a pair of tortoiseshell sunnies.

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