Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, has shown a clear interest in pursuing bobsledding after his career in motorsport. His potential shift to this Winter Olympic sport has gained attention amid his well-known passion for new challenges and his admiration for the sport’s culture and history.
Jamaican Bobsledder Sees Hamilton as a Perfect Fit
Tyquendo Tracey, a Jamaican sprinter and member of the country’s renowned four-man bobsleigh team, highlighted Hamilton’s unique skill set as an ideal match for bobsledding. Tracey, who competes in a squad inspired by the famed 1988 team immortalized in the film Cool Runnings, believes Hamilton’s experience in high-speed vehicle control positions him well for the demanding steering required in bobsleigh.
I think he (Hamilton) would do well,
Tracey said during an interview with Reuters Television.
When you see people like Lewis Hamilton going around curves (at) 200-250 miles an hour, he’s going to have the eye for it to be able to manoeuvre a sled… so, personally, I think he would do very well.
– Tyquendo Tracey, Jamaican bobsledder
Although Tracey, a sub-10-second 100-metre runner and two-time national track champion, outmatches Hamilton in raw speed — which is crucial for the initial push in bobsleigh — he acknowledges that Hamilton’s precision and control would be a major advantage in navigating the sled at speeds that can reach around 150 kilometres per hour.
The Impact of “Cool Runnings” and Hamilton’s Personal Connection
Hamilton’s link to the sport is also deeply personal. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Grenada to Britain, and the story of the Jamaican bobsleigh team breaking barriers in a predominantly white sport resonates with his own experiences as the first Black champion in Formula One. Hamilton has frequently spoken about how Cool Runnings influenced him and has recently shared hopes of forming a bobsleigh team representing Grenada in the future.
If I was to do a Winter Olympic sport, it would be bobsledding,
Hamilton revealed in a Ferrari team video.
I always wanted to do bobsledding. There’s no Grenadian team, so maybe I would take my best friend Jan and then get a couple of other characters from Grenada and then create a bobsleigh team.
– Lewis Hamilton, Formula One driver
Hamilton as a Role Model Beyond Motorsport
Tracey describes Hamilton as a significant figure and source of inspiration, not only for his sporting achievements but also for his cultural and racial identity. After watching a Formula One documentary produced by Hamilton, Tracey became more engaged with the sport, identifying with Hamilton’s story and seeing him as a role model for many people.
I watched the new Formula One movie that Lewis produced. And so, after doing that, I started paying more attention to Formula One,
Tracey commented.
That’s my guy. He’s my people in a sense. So he’s automatically a role model for a lot of people just because of where he’s from, you know, who he is.
– Tyquendo Tracey, Jamaican bobsledder
Prospects for Hamilton’s Future in Winter Sports
Given Hamilton’s talent for speed control and track navigation, combined with his interest in bobsledding, experts like Tracey expect that he could adapt successfully to the sport if he pursues it seriously. Hamilton’s potential involvement could also raise the profile of bobsledding, particularly in countries like Grenada, where winter sports have limited representation.
As Hamilton explores this new path, he may inspire a broader conversation about diversity and crossover between summer and winter sports, opening doors for future athletes looking to challenge themselves across disciplines.
