In a thrilling new chapter for both racing enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, the maestro of speed, Lewis Hamilton, is poised to make history beyond the racetrack. The seven-time Formula One champion has just inked an electrifying multi-year partnership with Fanatics Collectibles. This new venture isn’t just about memorabilia. It’s about making memories while making a difference.
Hamilton’s transition from the silver arrows of Mercedes to Ferrari’s legendary scarlet hue marks the beginning of a new odyssey—a season in red. As part of this transformation, Hamilton will offer officially licensed memorabilia and trading cards under an exclusive autograph arrangement with the eminent sports collectibles brand, Topps, a crown jewel of Fanatics. This arrangement promises collectors not just exquisite mementos, but a slice of history with Hamilton’s personal stamp all over it.
Imagine red-parallel copies of Topps’ Chrome F1 card showcasing Hamilton in a Ferrari suit, each inscribed with “Forza Ferrari.” Enthusiasts are practically salivating at the thought. With only five copies in existence, these bespoke cards have collectors everywhere either trembling with anticipation or tearing up with jealousy.
Topps, which clinched the rights to Formula 1 trading cards and stickers in 2020, has ridden the crest of a trading-card renaissance. A phenomenon propelled by drive-to-thrill reality series and pandemic nostalgia. Its F1 cards have become the Maserati among trading cards. With eight cards fetching more than $100,000 at auction—including a legendary Hamilton’s one-off 2020 Chrome Superfractor swagging past the seven-figure threshold in a December auction, the fervor is real and roaring.
Chatting with The Athletic before dash-cam viewing the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton took a nostalgic pit stop through his childhood. Those simpler days of splurging on Premier League stickers linger fondly in his memory. “Trading those packs with friends meant everything. I never imagined one day my memorabilia would support causes I’m passionate about,” he recounted.
The storied racer found a personal connection amidst the grandeur at the flagship Fanatics Collectibles store on Regent Street, London. Cutting the ribbon wasn’t the highlight of his day; meeting a fan who snagged one of his exclusive one-of-one cards was. They shared tales of F1 and Arsenal fandom, realizing together the expansive community created by shared passions.
Among his treasure trove of mementos, Hamilton holds his firsts nearest to his heart. Count among them his initial yellow go-kart helmet—customized in the inventive blacksmith’s gallery otherwise known as Dad’s shed; his debut trophy from the Monaco Grand Prix; and his foundational race suit, an artifact of his origins in motorsport. “Those ‘firsts’ mean more than anything,” he mused, his voice nurturing the delicate brush of nostalgia.
Outside the high-octane universe, Hamilton’s interests are as eclectic as they are unexpected. His affinity for art sees him in quiet reflection, a glass of wine in hand, admiring works by Black and African artists. Throw in a sprinkle of vintage cars, and you capture a multidimensional portrait of a man rich with interests. And in a twist that somehow combines humor with peculiarity, Hamilton remembers the oddest request for his prized autograph: a pair of diminutive Japanese boxer shorts, with the collector’s instruction to scribble across the back. “It was bizarre,” he recalled, laughter in his eyes. “But hey, it made someone’s day!”
Asked about the up-and-coming lights on the F1 card scene, Hamilton’s keen eye spotted future stars with precision. “Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman—and definitely Isack Hadjar. He’s one to watch,” he said, gently weaving the importance of emerging talent into his impressive narrative tapestry.
True champions don’t merely gather laurels. They share them, turn them into stories, and scatter them across time, ensuring that every fan, every collector, is part of something larger. With this groundbreaking partnership, Hamilton shifts gears, blazing a path that melds tradition with innovation, and brings new facets to a legendary legacy. And somewhere, in a collector’s deft hands, a tiny card with Hamilton inked in Ferrari red waits to turn a moment into a masterpiece.
