Bubba Wallace has openly expressed his respect for Lewis Hamilton, now revealing that if given the chance to collaborate on a business venture within the racing world, he would choose the seven-time Formula 1 world champion. The 31-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver identified Hamilton as his ideal partner, highlighting the potential of a joint enterprise beyond the racetrack.
Both athletes hold groundbreaking roles in their sports: Hamilton became Formula 1’s first Black driver in 2007, while Wallace is the first full-time African-American NASCAR Cup Series driver since Wendell Scott in the 1970s. Together, they represent progress in traditionally less diverse motorsports.
When asked by Front Office Sports about his preferred business partner, Wallace stated:
“Let’s go Lewis Hamilton. Whatever his idea, I would just want a little part of it, a little piece of it, just say I am in with Lewis Hamilton.”
How Hamilton’s Expanding Business Ventures Inspire Wallace’s Aspirations
Wallace’s enthusiasm for partnering with Hamilton stems not only from admiration as a racing competitor but from Hamilton’s impressive off-track accomplishments. Estimated to have a net worth of $450 million, Hamilton’s business interests extend well beyond racing. He holds part-ownership of the NFL‘s Denver Broncos, co-founded the vegan fast-food chain Neat Burger, and launched fashion label +44 along with the non-alcoholic tequila brand Almave.
Additionally, Hamilton invests in TRMW Sports alongside golfer Tiger Woods, owns Dawn Apollo Films—the company behind Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 movie—and manages Mission 44, a charitable foundation aimed at supporting underrepresented youth in education. Wallace’s desire to connect with Hamilton’s entrepreneurial vision reflects his own determination to build a lasting legacy both within and outside motorsports.
The Early Connection: Hamilton’s Encouragement to Wallace Before Daytona Debut
Wallace’s respect for Hamilton goes back to their first indirect interactions. In 2018, before Wallace’s first full-time NASCAR season and his Daytona 500 debut with Richard Petty Motorsports, Hamilton sent him an encouraging message on social media. Wallace, who previously drove part-time in the iconic No. 43 car in 2017, was deeply moved by this recognition from his idol.
Reflecting on the moment in a CNN interview, Wallace recalled the impact of Hamilton’s support, linking it to his earlier admiration:
“I remember always playing the F1 2010-11 game on Xbox and I’d pick Lewis Hamilton every time. I became a huge fan of his and see what he’s going through. He’s a huge role model of mine… I was just like freaking out to see that tweet, to see that kind of respect he had given out to me was unreal.”
That year, Wallace made history at the Daytona 500 by finishing second, the highest placement ever achieved by an African-American driver in the race.
The Mutual Path Forward in Racing and Business Ventures
More than a decade after admiring Hamilton in a video game, Wallace continues to look up to him as both a sporting figure and a potential collaborator. With both athletes reaching critical points in their racing seasons—Wallace with nine races left in the NASCAR Cup Series and Hamilton in the latter stages of the Formula 1 calendar—the possibility of future business collaborations holds great promise.
By naming Lewis Hamilton as his dream business partner, Bubba Wallace underscores not only the breakthroughs they have achieved for diversity in motorsports but also the potential impact of combining their influence in entrepreneurial ventures beyond the track. This partnership could inspire more athletes to leverage their platforms into meaningful business success and social change initiatives.
